tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90668933759676619612024-03-14T01:14:49.900-07:00John Dredge's Blog of BlogsJohn Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-86681314021405696052023-12-19T03:34:00.000-08:002023-12-20T01:27:43.079-08:00Chapter One of my new book entitled 'Eric.'<p> <span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Eric pondered. This was not the first
time he had done so. It was the second. He pondered on the point of his
existence for a good half-hour but, unable to come to any conclusions, made off
to the car park. Eric didn’t actually own a car, so the nearest he got to
it was observing other cars, and the local car park was therefore a positive
boon. This had become a regular hobby for him along with stamp-collecting,
harmonica playing, and Star Trek. Eric then bumped into his next-door
neighbour, Mrs Vonk.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Where are you going?’ </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span> </span>‘To yonder car park’ replied Eric, not entirely sure why he had
used the word ‘yonder.’ Nevertheless, he strode on. He knew what
she was like.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> On reaching the car park, Eric walked
both up and down, and made a note of several of the registration numbers for
his collection. Just then a man emerged from one of the cars and began to
walk towards him. The man appeared to be dressed as a policeman.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Good afternoon, sir’ he said. ‘I am a policeman.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘That explains it,’ thought Eric.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Have you seen a suspicious character round here wearing a green
top hat?’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘No – not since yesterday anyway,’ replied Eric. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm’ said the policeman, using
far too many ‘m’s. ‘Did you notice what type of green top hat he was
wearing?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘From a distance it looked like a 1962 style green top hat.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘That can’t be him then – we’re looking for someone with a 196</span><i style="color: #0f1419; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">3
</i><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">style green top hat.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> The policeman left the scene, somewhat
annoyed at being written out of the story. Eric continued to walk around the car park, viewing the various vehicles and noting
down things of no interest. He was determined to publish the definitive book about
car parks, despite the discouragement of several major publishers. J</span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">ust then, a man called Simon emerged
from one of the cars. Simon looked around warily before getting back in the car
and driving off, never to return. So much for Simon.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Eric sat in the car park and began to
eat his sandwiches. This was a good day. Or it would have been if a large
biscuit tin hadn’t bounced off his head.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘What do you think you’re doing sitting there having your
sandwiches?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">It was his brother, Colin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘If you don’t come back to the house now, I’ll smash your face
in!’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">They had never got on.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Colin was tall, thin and
loathsome. He always dressed entirely in mauve, which he claimed made him
stand out. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Why can’t I sit out here in the car park?’ asked Eric.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Because it’s time for you to make my lunch,’ argued Colin. ‘And
I demand Bovril.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">Colin had never learnt how to make lunch, but he certainly knew
of Bovril (although for a while he thought it was Marmite). They made
their way back to the house. Eric looked over the fence at Mrs Vonk, who was
making something.</span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span> </span>‘What are you making, Mrs Vonk?’ <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘I’ll know what it is when I’ve finished,’ she replied
confidently, yet with a hint of fear.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Colin ushered Eric inside and demanded
a Bovril sandwich ‘with radishes in it.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘We haven’t got any radishes,’ Eric protested.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘What is this, No Radish Day?’ countered Colin, knowing full
well that it was.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Eric entered the dimly-lit house.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘What is it with all this dim lighting?’ asked
Colin. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘The house is in such poor condition it’s best if you can’t see
it,’ said Eric. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> <span> Eric</span></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> made Colin's lunch and then decided to go to work. He</span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> set off for the office. He then
arrived at the office.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘That was quick’ he thought.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Eric was not popular with his boss, nor
with his work colleagues, nor indeed with anyone else. He was, all things
considered, unpopular. Eric sat at his desk and pondered – something at
which he was becoming increasingly adept. Now what was it he did again?
He consulted his colleagues, who seemed to be of no help, so he just sat there.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Don’t just sit there!’ thundered the boss.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">Eric worked in a very ordinary sort of office, which was why he
was surprised when a piano fell through the ceiling. </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span> </span>‘Whose piano is that??’ shouted the boss, enraged by this
distraction. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘It belongs to Mr Grundfos-Jones,’ answered an employee.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Eric, you’re not doing anything, go and get him NOW!’ shouted
the boss, using capital letters at the end.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Eric wandered up the stairs to the
office above and assumed the knocking-on-the-door position that had seen him
open so many doors in the past. Three sharp knocks were all that were needed
before the door opened. Things were looking up. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Yes?’ said Grundfos-Jones.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Did your piano fall through the office ceiling just now?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘That's right – what of it?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘The boss wants to talk to you.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘What about?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> This was proving more difficult than he
had thought.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘The boss wants to ask you why your piano fell through the
ceiling.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Tell him it’s none of his business.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘But it IS his business. And your piano just fell through his ceiling. ’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">'All right all right, keep your hair on. I'll get a
cloth.'</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Eric and Grundfos-Jones made the
long slow descent down the stairs before</span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> entering the hallowed quarters of
the boss.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Now look here Grundfos-Jones, why did your piano
fall through my office ceiling this morning?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘I’m not sure.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">'Well find out!'</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">'Very well sir, I'll employ a piano consultant to look into it.'</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">Eric sighed sighingly. It had been a peculiar morning. He
sat at his desk again, at which point a second piano fell through the ceiling
and landed directly on top of it. Eric made a mental note to ask for another
desk. Fed up with pianos falling through the ceiling, he decided to take
the rest of the day off. What should he do? Spend the afternoon shooting the
breeze at the dry cleaners? Visit the Petroleum Museum? Or simply sit in the
middle of the office floor meditating? No, that hadn’t ended well last
time, and so he walked over to the local park, where he saw the local park
keeper.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Morning Donald,’ he said.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘My name’s Nigel.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Ah, I was getting you mixed up with Bernard.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Bernard?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Yes, I often call him Donald by mistake as well.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘What do you want?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Oh er – nothing.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Then here it is,’ said the Park Keeper, handing him a large
empty bag. Eric took it and walked on. He knew when he wasn’t wanted, which was
all the time. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘All right?’ asked a passing squirrel.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Er – yes thank you’ replied Eric, slightly startled.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘What’s the matter – haven’t you ever seen a talking squirrel
before?’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">Eric suddenly felt rather foolish.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Having a good day?’ the squirrel asked.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Not really. A piano nearly fell on me.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Well at least it missed you.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">Eric was nonplussed. How to continue this squirrular
conversation?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">‘Another piano nearly fell on me shortly afterwards.’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> <span> </span></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;">The squirrel moved away. </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Eric left the park and wandered back to
his house. Inspired by his nature-filled jaunt, he decided to plant an elm
tree in the garden. Unfortunately, the nearest elm tree shop was four hundred
miles away, but undaunted, he decided to take the bus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #0f1419; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-29382493479809042652023-12-19T02:40:00.000-08:002023-12-19T02:40:56.299-08:00book<p> I'm going to post the first chapter of my book on here. Then if anyone is interested I'll write the second chapter....</p>John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-57089400063069714592023-03-24T06:11:00.001-07:002023-03-24T06:11:17.022-07:00 JOHN DREDGE & THE BALCONY SHIRTS BAND release debut single<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"><br />
JOHN DREDGE & THE BALCONY SHIRTS BAND release debut single ‘Double Agent Working
Alone’ on Friday March 24th. </span></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;">Listen to them… </span></i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;">Listen</span></i></b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> to them…
</span></i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;">Double Agent Working Alone</span></i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> is a joyously
catchy two-minute guitar-pop song conceived as a homage to the stylish spy
thrillers of the sixties. The video also evokes memories of cinematic
espionage, with the inclusion of a secret message and a mysterious multi-story
car park. </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;">The group was formed when
singer/lyricist John Dredge met guitarist/producer/shop owner Scott Balcony in
the Balcony Shirts garment printing and embroidery shop, deep in the heart
of Uxbridge. Bassist Chris Taylor, additional guitarist Leigh Heggarty
and drummer Bob Burgons were quickly recruited from the shop staff, and the
debut single was actually recorded there despite constant interruptions from
the customers. But what a result! Shop-based pop at its
finest. </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;">Streaming Link: </span><u><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: blue; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"><a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdistrokid.com%2Fhyperfollow%2Fjohndredgeandthebalconyshirtsband%2Fdouble-agent-working-alone&data=05%7C01%7Cjohn.dredge%40london.ac.uk%7Cdc09c2b2bf8143c05e5c08db2bab463d%7C185280ba7a0042ea940819eafd13552e%7C0%7C0%7C638151786829947005%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QnkMkaQoAr53Q%2FMSd42JcVzSeQFS4VWMAeuqgTEervU%3D&reserved=0">https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/johndredgeandthebalconyshirtsband/double-agent-working-alone</a></span></u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;">YouTube Video: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWGYHgnKM2k0&data=05%7C01%7Cjohn.dredge%40london.ac.uk%7Cdc09c2b2bf8143c05e5c08db2bab463d%7C185280ba7a0042ea940819eafd13552e%7C0%7C0%7C638151786829947005%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=tDsSbkOWJ30LPEalGJQfV7pzXZCOtDWyAC8uwL6OlAw%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" title="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGYHgnKM2k0"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGYHgnKM2k0</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;">The Balcony Shirts shop
site <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.balconyshirts.co.uk%2F&data=05%7C01%7Cjohn.dredge%40london.ac.uk%7Cdc09c2b2bf8143c05e5c08db2bab463d%7C185280ba7a0042ea940819eafd13552e%7C0%7C0%7C638151786829947005%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=WIFBFJZQ9iBXSW1GWFWFIS61YUk9i9eWp%2F8bC0SMrgQ%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.balconyshirts.co.uk/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-ligatures: none; padding: 0cm;">@johndredge<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-3788222372475067142019-08-19T07:19:00.002-07:002019-08-19T07:19:52.425-07:00New guitar pop EP by John Dredge and The Plinths out today!<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Today we release a new EP of guitar pop songs for the bewildered…</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
John Dredge & The Plinths - The Plinthsmania EP!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
'Idiots Run The World' is the new and incontestably truthful lead track from John Dredge and The Plinths - it's the perfect encapsulation of the world today, where "self-serving politicians lead the way into chaos and corruption". The accompanying video, created by the award winning Popaisy Design, sees John Dredge taking over from world figures including Donald <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">Trump, Kim Jong-un, Boris Johnson and that bloke whose entire family came into the room while he was on BBC News.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
It's out now as part of 'The Plinthsmania EP', the very third release from the band after their debut 'Emergency EP' and recent 'Pancake Day' single which was championed by Paul Ross and Iain Lee on Talk Radio. Other songs deal with the need for nostalgia, the easy answers of social media, and there’s also a tribute to John Le Carre.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Anyone who thinks this EP will not bring about a change in government is just not being optimistic enough.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
The EP is available on iTunes, Amazon, and all download sites, as well as directly from the band via their Bandcamp site.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Video: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFAkkH2qT0wU%26feature%3Dyoutu.be%26fbclid%3DIwAR0bvHXiPGVGwy_D2lzuPrMYABh0yzZSlAXdgC-t_Kthxf4AEYN_trEpM-I&h=AT3dav2wQaSZyRQUbgsyGF9FCK9xIToRd15Y1GsNQAgogrF5ghGiuyTCm1HqJe7kZ143zWG4RLpZVRb_YMx3Txx8BgRfDPtUTNFm5L4nvpjdqR_SF3pqoNKiMG9zB1Ovb4yScI-ISgJRHJ9G9tpx6n1sUput_0pOBg-j488nvg" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAkkH2qT0wU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0bvHXiPGVGwy_D2lzuPrMYABh0yzZSlAXdgC-t_Kthxf4AEYN_trEpM-I" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAkkH2qT0wU&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Bandcamp: <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fjohndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0KojERkW8Ln2LZ0ji-YSukk3qVQ1wKSa2l8p1ODXR7Yeimt34tqkofEcs&h=AT31dFl22tHxJ5VDZ-uQy3U2h9TlN0ujcEBDRm1L529kFgeqyAetsPDkdMf_E5mBGgRr1mhV4PqlRaV4VunHHoTtE_HifbTMOYo3CtwnlY1qTYJzdiShCDaceKdKcNseycFjflLct-2ElUdtG89fdVt-Yg54AkQCoFTgOM_CxQ" href="https://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR0KojERkW8Ln2LZ0ji-YSukk3qVQ1wKSa2l8p1ODXR7Yeimt34tqkofEcs" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com/</a>…/the-plinthsmani…</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
'Sounding great! I love breezy pop!' - Danny Baker</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
'Highly recommended for lovers of power pop and hummable ditties' Louder Than War</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
'Great!' Alan McGee</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
'Fishy fishy fish fish!' - Boris Johnson</div>
</div>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-22075100649732046812019-06-24T00:30:00.003-07:002019-06-24T01:37:52.119-07:00RECENTLY REDISCOVERED EXCERPT FROM AN UNFINISHED BOOK BY ENID BLYTON<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">One morning The
Secret Seven were all playing in Peter’s front garden. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘This is fun’ said
Peter, ‘but it’s a shame there don’t seem to be any mysteries around to solve
at the moment.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘That <i>is</i> mysterious’
said Colin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Let’s keep an eye out for
anything unusual,’ said Vera.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘What about that car?’ said
Janet, who had noticed a car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> ‘It looks ordinary
enough’ said Peter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘<i>Too </i>ordinary,’ said
Janet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Yes and look at the man in
the front seat’ said Noreen. ‘He looks even <i>more</i> ordinary! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Secret Seven hid behind
the garden fence as, slowly but surely, a <i>very</i> ordinary looking man emerged from
the car, changed what appeared to be a flat tyre, got back in, and drove away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘That was mysteriously
ordinary,’ exclaimed Peter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">‘Perhaps we should go to the
police,’ said Norman.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘No, but we’ll have a secret meeting in the shed first thing
tomorrow morning!’ exclaimed Peter even more exclamatorially. ‘It all seems
very peculiar indeed!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The next day’s meeting was
full of excitement, although you’d be forgiven for thinking it wasn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Look at Scamper!’ said Norman, ‘he’s sitting there just like a dog!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Everyone laughed at this
hilariously appropriate observation, which took at least half an hour to
recover from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Now what shall we do about
the mystery of the ordinary car?’ said Peter, sounding awfully important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘I’ve just thought of
something!’ exclaimed Janet, sounding even more important and even more awful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘What have you thought of?’
said Norman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Oh dear,’ said Janet, ‘I’ve
forgotten. But it was a good idea.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Don’t worry Janet, it was a
jolly good idea to have a good idea,’ said Peter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Why don’t we go back to where
we were yesterday and see if the car comes back?’ said Vera.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Agreeing that this was
another good idea, they went front into the back garden, realised their mistake, and went back into the front garden. They waited and waited.
Suddenly, four days later, they heard something approaching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘It’s a car!’ exclaimed Vera.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Shhh, stop exclaiming!’ said
Peter, ‘You’ll give us away!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘That’s rich coming from
you,’ said Vera.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed
Peter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘You’re always exclaiming!’
said Vera, ‘You did it again there!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Now is not the time to argue
about who exclaims and who doesn't,’ interjected Janet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Ooo look at you
interjecting!’ said Peter bitchily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Calm down all of you!’ said
Colin, thankful for a line of dialogue. ‘Let’s keep quiet and see what happens
next.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The sound of the car got
nearer and nearer and then finally it drove into view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘It’s a completely different
car to the other one we saw,’ said Peter, trying not to exclaim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘How peculiar!’ said Janet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And then as quickly as it had
arrived, the car vanished into the distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘I’m going to the police!’
said Norman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">‘Good idea,’ said
Peter. ‘And perhaps they can help discover just exactly <i>what</i> is going
on!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-10279841060967280062019-06-07T01:30:00.001-07:002019-06-07T01:30:31.198-07:00first gig bookedI have booked my first stand-up gig for the end of the month. Five minutes. Need to keep going over the material. I guess it gets easier the more you do it. Not particularly looking forward to it, especially as the show ends so late. Oh well.John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-58240024872893767592019-05-21T05:51:00.003-07:002019-05-21T05:51:57.993-07:00learning it<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am starting to learn my five minutes of standup
material. Learning material is extremely dull. How people learn hours of
it I have no idea. I have settled on a ‘miserable bastard’ persona which
suits me well. The material consists of one-liners mixed with some fairly
personal stuff, which I think is the best way to go. It’s a bit weird
because all the other comedy I have done has been surreal and escapist – this
is rooted in reality, something I‘ve never been very keen on. However,
that is what seems to come out when writing for standup so what will be will be
will be (will be). Everything is stacked against you when starting out in
standup and I recall Harry Hill saying ‘those first gigs are the most difficult
you will ever do.’ Who knows how it will go? Soon enough, I will
know. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-14873867408733913232019-05-14T03:43:00.004-07:002019-05-14T03:43:38.006-07:00stand-up<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am going to try stand-up comedy. I’ve been doing a
class in sketch and character comedy and we did a live show which went well,
but in the UK there aren’t a lot of outlets for that sort of thing anymore and I feel I need to
adapt. It’s not something I’m naturally drawn to so I’m going to have to
work at it. I’ve got five minutes of material together – who knows how good it
is? The only way to find out is to go and do it and then change it accordingly. I also have a shocking memory for remembering lines so
that’s something else I need to work on. Anyway, it’s now or never.
I need to learn the material before I can do anything else so that’s the next
step. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not young – and I have a day job which takes up a lot of
time and energy so it’s not going to be easy. I don’t have a wife or kids
so that pressure’s not there, which is good. I have been doing comedy in
some form all my life – podcasts, community radio shows, videos, and a double
act with fellow silly person Andy Harland. However with stand-up you can only rely on
yourself, which has advantages and disadvantages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps in writing this blog other people in a similar
position might find it interesting and possibly useful. It will also
hopefully keep me on track. Am going to document what happens on social
media. That's the idea anyway. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Off we go. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-60726489292430315722019-01-09T06:05:00.000-08:002019-01-09T06:07:42.752-08:00Polevaulting<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Today’s blog is all about polevaulting. What is it? What was it? And why is it?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Polevaulting was invented during the war by acclaimed inventor Professor G. Tukesby. On discovering that by mistake one evening he had invented a long pole, he was at a loss as to how it could be of value. It was only when he was chased by a goat the next day and used it to vault over a fence that he sensed a way forward and ultimately, a way upward. He discussed the situation with a neighbour in his local bar the following Monday. ‘A bar!’ he allegedly exclaimed. ‘They could vault over a bar!’ Tukesby went away and that night created the very first ‘polevaulting bar.’ Anxious to use it, the Professor and his neighbour began polevaulting in the front garden, and before long a crowd had assembled, all eager to have a go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Since then polevaulting competitions (and contests) have been held in places as far afield as Cambridgeshire, Londonshire and The Isle of Manshire. Nowadays it is rare to attend any dinner party without a quick polevaulting spree in the garden afterwards. In his book <i>Polevaulting And You, </i>Reg Chipforks<i> </i>points out that poles should be made of aluminium or fibreglass, and that poles made of plasticine or<i> </i>string are nowhere near as effective. He also advises the use of the outdoors when attempting to polevault, rather than a kitchen or laundromat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Attributes such as speed, agility and strength are useful in polevaulting, although cheating and skulduggery are possibly even more important. In modern competitions, NH denotes ‘No Height’ when a vaulter has failed, and NPC denotes ‘No Point Continuing’ when a competitor has died. During a longer game, marks may be awarded for longitude, although a certain amount of latitude can be given (up to 4%). If a pole is broken during a competition the pole is said to be ‘broken’ and a ‘mender’ is called.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Unlike the high jump, polevaulting is unlike the high jump. It is similarly nothing like the wide jump and only a buffoon would confuse it with the far jump. It is also not true that all pole-vaulters emit a foul stench. This was a rumour which originated from The Anti-Polevaulting League in the mid-eighties. This organisation is now defunct, as are the mid-eighties. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The popularity of polevaulting is now widespread, and enjoyed by people, animals, harpists, tramps, nuns, oligarchs, hobgoblins and the obese. Why not give it a try today? </span><br />
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John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-59692516417168570362018-12-01T05:03:00.003-08:002018-12-01T05:03:52.117-08:00artI've been doing a lot of weird drawing so here is some of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFNnROdG-801LkpbKJNcxJX9V8-PbWAhHgUuJ0CvWovz5aQ4rXK4xsJ4nPYpANi1lVgnJ41C0pemVP-4Pwrf4vm0s5VA4vyhyQxMbR1H6NxOZ6xJwdSkn_eiL9jkHCQ3QJFQ7o2jRyNc/s1600/weirder1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="960" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFNnROdG-801LkpbKJNcxJX9V8-PbWAhHgUuJ0CvWovz5aQ4rXK4xsJ4nPYpANi1lVgnJ41C0pemVP-4Pwrf4vm0s5VA4vyhyQxMbR1H6NxOZ6xJwdSkn_eiL9jkHCQ3QJFQ7o2jRyNc/s320/weirder1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUfL-IFbk-8Uat2-UxiQejLujpDcZGWvBcZJoXPsXwy07PpSV-nlCNZotVYy5B9xyILyz-WWWpP_kYyBpY_-o7XYZCF5VAvkg5VOEVbc2X22Fp-YE8QE4R42tSw5qS9FBoIAa-Gm2_ug/s1600/untie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1280" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUfL-IFbk-8Uat2-UxiQejLujpDcZGWvBcZJoXPsXwy07PpSV-nlCNZotVYy5B9xyILyz-WWWpP_kYyBpY_-o7XYZCF5VAvkg5VOEVbc2X22Fp-YE8QE4R42tSw5qS9FBoIAa-Gm2_ug/s320/untie1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6FC9IxSti5-rkX6mLSqEZvq4SnRZ0FafsJ6ZYkavJfGNzl7psaNwAMXmdawBacyAom-ShZ5nzikuUTw3v7cHLjp6lsoaHoc2na0aFdU5chQlueIVkw5mrl1Ou3RnHhUkjBmqwEYtjl0/s1600/arto1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6FC9IxSti5-rkX6mLSqEZvq4SnRZ0FafsJ6ZYkavJfGNzl7psaNwAMXmdawBacyAom-ShZ5nzikuUTw3v7cHLjp6lsoaHoc2na0aFdU5chQlueIVkw5mrl1Ou3RnHhUkjBmqwEYtjl0/s320/arto1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJP3aoXn94BTfM9uW7TmL0zKMJ06yl9zATr7YERBsu20M-xu37o9PuNA2-qYDurul9Cy2jC-P6u_DgSMGlegTjp1G-HFlQt0B_k7AHNJJonYtxPrhjdCirDbf4d-iJoKejrMZx7YgAso/s1600/artis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJP3aoXn94BTfM9uW7TmL0zKMJ06yl9zATr7YERBsu20M-xu37o9PuNA2-qYDurul9Cy2jC-P6u_DgSMGlegTjp1G-HFlQt0B_k7AHNJJonYtxPrhjdCirDbf4d-iJoKejrMZx7YgAso/s320/artis1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-52677494722655401492018-11-05T05:36:00.001-08:002018-11-05T05:36:19.562-08:00I'm not much of a bloggerI'm not much of a blogger.John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-25134169294347722212018-10-02T05:24:00.000-07:002018-10-02T05:24:32.953-07:00fractured blog
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a fractured blog</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bits and pieces of sentences and phrases that emerge from my
fractured brain</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Plinths have done a new pop video inspired by the John
Hughes film The Breakfast Club you can watch it here </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa0F4R7jW1w"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa0F4R7jW1w</span></a></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was a good film</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wonder what I am doing here</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wonder what you are doing there</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently I have been doing a lot of weird cartoons and
sketchings which you can see on my instagram account</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have now stopped doing them</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wonder what I am doing here</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wonder what you are doing there</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our recent DredgeLand podcast can be heard somewhere</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Probably best to go and have a look at DredgeLand.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is really stupid</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apparently I wasn’t loud enough</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am too quiet</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can hear the final instalment of our sports-based
adventure serial Cram and Coe</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have finished it as I can’t be bothered to write
any more</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am currently watching every episode of The Goodies ever
made. Of the 15 episodes I have seen so far only two have been any good</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rest have been bad </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mark is working on some new Plinths arrangements</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I say arrangements, he’s putting a bit more guitar on them</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wonder what I am doing here</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wonder what you are doing there</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sky is pink</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My legs are puce</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DredgeLand are doing another of our radio shows on
wandsworth radio on thursday at 7pm</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It will be a load of incoherent babbling and records</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t like people walking behind me</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don't like people walking in front of me</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wonder what I am doing here</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wonder what you are doing there</span></div>
</span><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This blog is at an end</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The End</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See?</span></div>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-85164902235275986372018-09-13T06:43:00.001-07:002018-09-13T06:43:03.118-07:00Today's schedule<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5b9a69128cec40970407859">
Today’s schedule:<br />
2.am get up<br /> 2.01 go back to bed when I’ve realised it’s too early<br /> 3am get up again<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> 3.01 see 2.01<br /> 4am get up again<br /> 4.01 prayer time<br /> 4.02 argue on phone with vicar for not being up at 4.01<br /> 4.03 prayer time (by myself)<br /> 4.05 breakfast<br /> 8.05 finish breakfast<br /> 8.06 pre-workout workout<br /> 8.20 workout<br /> 8.40 post-workout workout<br /> 8.42 post-workout meal<br /> 10.42 post-meal snack<br /> 10.43 open post<br /> 10.45 post open-post workout<br /> 11 shower<br /> 11.15 post-shower shower<br /> 12 cryo chamber recovery<br /> 12.10 post-cryo chamber recovery<br /> 12.20 lunch<br /> 14.00 family time<br /> 14.01 post family time snack<br /> 15.00 work calls/meetings<br /> 15.01 post traumatic stress disorder<br /> 15.15 workout 2<br /> 1600 post-workout workout 2<br /> 16.12 workout 2 nottingham forest 1 <br /> 16.15 pick up kids from school<br /> 16.20 remember I don’t have kids<br /> 16.25 wonder who’s kids I have picked up from school<br /> 16..30 return kids to school<br /> 16.35 dinner/family time/meetings/work calls/workout/post workout work call workout<br /> 1700 bed<br /> 17.01 post-bed sleep<br /> 1715 cryo chamber post-bed sleep recovery workout</span></div>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-75144960407188675092018-03-28T01:14:00.003-07:002018-03-28T01:14:39.988-07:00New video by John Dredge and The Plinths out today!<div class="x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">John Dredge & The Plinths release a new video for the track 'Learn To Ignore' today, taken from their debut, 'The Emergency EP'.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Learn To Ignore video <a class="x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2PDPogDINE" id="LPlnk513325" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2PDPogDINE</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">This is the follow-up to 'Going Down' and ‘Rose Tinted Glasses’ which were featured on radio stations and podcasts around the country, notably on Dandelion Radio and Iain Lee's Talk Radio show. Louder Than War called the EP ‘h</span><span>ighly recommended for lovers of power pop and hummable ditties, ’ referring to Learn to Ignore as ‘the real nugget in the collection.’ T</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">he new video was created by John and co-songwriter Mark Hibbett, and is the latest in a series of short films by the duo. Previous films have been shown at LOCO and Kino London by accident.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">'The Emergency EP' is available on iTunes, Amazon, and all download sites, as well as directly from the band via their Bandcamp site <a href="http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com/" id="LPlnk704555" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif,serif,"EmojiFont"; font-size: 12pt;">"Sounding great - I LOVE breezy pop!" - Danny Baker<br /> "Too good for words!" - Aron Smith, ShmuFM</span></div>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-69338984869253853482018-03-18T07:03:00.005-07:002018-03-18T07:25:30.429-07:00Dredge's Dictionary Today in<i> Dredge's Dictionary</i> we're up to C which stands for Cardboard Containers, Charles In Charge and of course CAR PARKS.<br />
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<u><i><b>Car Parks</b></i></u><br />
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Car parks were invented in 1801 by Brian Carparks who lived in a shed near an allotment.<br />
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One day Brian noticed a car driving down a road. The next day he noticed a local park. Putting the two together was a stroke of genius. The first car park was basic in form, permitting only one car to park at a time. From these humble beginnings, however, car parks were to flourish. Or were they? <br />
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The 'Nash Car Park' was so-called because Brian had been forced to go into business with Rice Krispie heir Eric Nash, who later went on to die. Spacious yet no good, it paved the way for less rubbish designs. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLs7vRSoQig4iQ_W6W79KSY9YAsikw7KnU-OXrirj3dDx2YwZm8LMuTFeJ69xhd-OyhkCkXKBenbTR13Y9Xy-dToa6giR8Z1ycDXMV1vTT8OaeK-Jp7v-tLemgac5DO0hz-NfYJFU3qk/s1600/modern1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1300" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLs7vRSoQig4iQ_W6W79KSY9YAsikw7KnU-OXrirj3dDx2YwZm8LMuTFeJ69xhd-OyhkCkXKBenbTR13Y9Xy-dToa6giR8Z1ycDXMV1vTT8OaeK-Jp7v-tLemgac5DO0hz-NfYJFU3qk/s320/modern1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here we see the more modern car park, with it's special iron girders and fancy pillars and that. Cars of all shapes and sizes are now able to access this type of car park, although triangular vehicles are still spurned. This has led to protests by the head of Triangular Autos and Audio Ltd, Rick Gnitts, seen here within a van. <br />
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Despite this sort of jiggery-pokery, car parks are very much in the vanguard of the modern day thing. And it's not too fanciful to suggest that in 2018, car parks are here to stay. Or are they? Goodbye.<br />
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<br />John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-45674224107834622302018-02-26T05:01:00.001-08:002018-02-26T05:33:19.891-08:00NEW VIDEO FOR 'ROSE TINTED GLASSES' BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS RELEASED TODAY!<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">NEW VIDEO FOR 'ROSE TINTED GLASSES' BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS
RELEASED TODAY!</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">John Dredge and The Plinths release a
new video for 'Rose Tinted Glasses' today, the second track taken from their
debut, 'The Emergency EP'.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">'We are often compared to Duran Duran,'
lied John, 'so like them we are planning to release a video for every song
on our EP. We also intend to lurk around on a yacht.' <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is the follow-up to lead track
'Going Down', which was featured on radio stations and podcasts around the
country, notably on Dandelion Radio and Iain Lee's Talk Radio show. The video was
created by John and co-songwriter Mark Hibbett, and is the latest in a series
of short films by the award winning duo*. Previous films have been shown at
LOCO and Kino London.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">'May the plinth be
with you,' said Dredge. We are unable to offer further comment on
this matter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">'The Emergency EP' is available on
iTunes, Amazon, and all download sites, as well as directly from the band via
their Bandcamp site </span><a href="http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Sounding great!” Danny Baker</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Too good for words!” Aron Smith, ShmuFM</span><br />
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</o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Video for Rose Tinted Glasses </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OdC4xsgz7w" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OdC4xsgz7w</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">*John was awarded the 60m swimming badge in 1977 and Mark
won Best Turnip That Looks Like A Person at the 1997 Theydon Bois Village Fete <o:p></o:p></span></div>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-44616212365113907992018-02-18T04:42:00.004-08:002018-02-18T04:42:45.923-08:00Coming soon - new video from John Dredge and The Plinths<b> Coming soon - new video from John Dredge and The Plinths</b><br />
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We've done quite well with 'Going Down,' our debut song, managing to get on Iain Lee's show and the John Peel inspired Dandelion Radio, plus we had Track of the Week on Wandsworth Radio and airplay on many other fab places. High profile fans such as Danny Baker have also helped us out, and our next video will be released on Monday 26th February. It's a short film so stand by your computer screens for that one. Our EP is available from Bandcamp and all the usual internet-type-places...<br />
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John x<br />
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Debut video 'Going Down' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUeBxGszppg<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif,serif,"EmojiFont";"><a href="http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i><span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">http://johndredgetheplinths.ba<wbr></wbr>ndcamp.com</span></span></i></a></span><br />
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<br />John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-33453959051238674762018-02-04T23:27:00.001-08:002018-02-04T23:27:10.569-08:00‘THE EMERGENCY EP’ BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS OUT NOW! <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">‘THE EMERGENCY EP’ BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS OUT NOW!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">When
Look-In Magazine expert and singer John Dredge met Doctor Doom expert
and guitarist MJ Hibbett, a songwriting partnership was born. With the
addition of Star Wars enthusiast Andy Harland on drums and mystery man
Bob Burgons on bass, <i>John Dredge and The Plinths</i> emerged, closely followed by <b><i>'The Emergency EP.'</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">The
four songs are out now, accompanied by a video for lead track
'Going Down' filmed by the band themselves in Lincoln's Inn Fields.
Other tracks on the EP include 'Alison Alien', a homage to John Hughes'
legendary movie 'The Breakfast Club', and 'Rose Tinted Glasses', which
features a full marching kazoo band.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">'The Plinths cannot be gainsayed,' says Dredge, although nobody is quite sure what he means.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">'The
Emergency EP' is available on iTunes, Amazon, and all download sites,
as well as directly from the band via their Bandcamp site <a href="http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com/" id="LPlnk367720" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";">http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com</span></i></a>.</span></div>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-80710559957726293102018-01-29T01:16:00.002-08:002018-01-29T01:16:49.364-08:00‘THE EMERGENCY EP’ BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS RELEASED TODAY! <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
‘THE EMERGENCY EP’ BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS RELEASED TODAY!
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">‘THE EMERGENCY EP’ BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS RELEASED TODAY!</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">When
Look-In Magazine expert and singer John Dredge met Doctor Doom expert
and guitarist MJ Hibbett, a songwriting partnership was born. With the
addition of Star Wars enthusiast Andy Harland on drums and mystery man
Bob Burgons on bass, <i>John Dredge and The Plinths</i> emerged, closely followed by <b><i>'The Emergency EP.'</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">The
four songs are released today, accompanied by a video for lead track
'Going Down' filmed by the band themselves in Lincoln's Inn Fields.
Other tracks on the EP include 'Alison Alien', a homage to John Hughes'
legendary movie 'The Breakfast Club', and 'Rose Tinted Glasses', which
features a full marching kazoo band.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">'The Plinths cannot be gainsayed,' says Dredge, although nobody is quite sure what he means.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">'The
Emergency EP' is now available on iTunes, Amazon, and all download sites,
as well as directly from the band via their Bandcamp site <a href="http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com/" id="LPlnk367720" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Arial", sans-serif, serif, "EmojiFont";">http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com</span></i></a>.</span></div>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-89094114989517222892018-01-28T01:57:00.002-08:002018-01-28T01:57:57.768-08:00‘THE EMERGENCY EP’ BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS RELEASED TOMORROW!<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">‘THE EMERGENCY EP’ BY JOHN DREDGE AND THE PLINTHS RELEASED TOMORROW!</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">When
Look-In Magazine expert and singer John Dredge met Doctor Doom expert
and guitarist MJ Hibbett, a songwriting partnership was born. With the
addition of Star Wars enthusiast Andy Harland on drums and mystery man
Bob Burgons on bass, <i>John Dredge and The Plinths</i> emerged, closely followed by <b><i>'The Emergency EP.'</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">The
four songs are released on 29th January, accompanied by a video for lead track
'Going Down' filmed by the band themselves in Lincoln's Inn Fields.
Other tracks on the EP include 'Alison Alien', a homage to John Hughes'
legendary movie 'The Breakfast Club', and 'Rose Tinted Glasses', which
features a full marching kazoo band.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">'The Plinths cannot be gainsayed,' says Dredge, although nobody is quite sure what he means.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">'The
Emergency EP' will be available on iTunes, Amazon, and all download sites,
as well as directly from the band via their Bandcamp site <a href="http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com/" id="LPlnk367720" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Arial", sans-serif, serif, "EmojiFont";">http://johndredgetheplinths.bandcamp.com</span></i></a>.</span></div>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-82866705126687599762017-11-07T06:41:00.000-08:002017-11-07T23:26:34.772-08:00Musician cancels tour due to lack of songs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDmVSMDBVPy9RgrS5cwum00hq4U8x6I-kJ_4nOtpeXNS5WIiG_FSKU5jsS4x_ev0o0sJqzlgRN-jXHL8ZhMB2mZo6TDm28gKMAYYe0_g3UD-YnekssOEFk4PXHesntcHMJrxlrHsdokI/s1600/len1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDmVSMDBVPy9RgrS5cwum00hq4U8x6I-kJ_4nOtpeXNS5WIiG_FSKU5jsS4x_ev0o0sJqzlgRN-jXHL8ZhMB2mZo6TDm28gKMAYYe0_g3UD-YnekssOEFk4PXHesntcHMJrxlrHsdokI/s320/len1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
John Dredge’s extensive tour of Frinton has been cancelled at the last minute because he ‘hasn’t got any songs.’ The self-styled ‘singer-songwriter’ was all set to tour with his backing band, The Plinths, when he realised that no songs had in fact been written. His management came up with a plan to do covers instead but John refused, saying this ‘lacked credibility.’ His management replied that this was better than ‘lacking any music at all.’ However Dredge has decided to remain in situ until further notice.<br />
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This sort of behaviour is not uncommon with musicians of course, as only yesterday Morrissey cancelled a concert in Southampton as the promoter had ‘heard of meat.’ Allegedly this has resulted in a new song which includes the lines, ‘Heard of meat/herd of cows/brown cow/how soon is now?’
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-12405031144696907552017-08-25T11:19:00.000-07:002017-08-25T11:28:32.196-07:00Dominic Jeffery – Filmmaker OrdinaireDominic Jeffery was a French film director, producer and garage attendant. As a film director and producer he made more than forty films. As a garage attendant he cleaned more than forty cars. His films are often cited as among the greatest ever made by Mrs Edith Witherspoon of Stepney. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the motion picture industry in 1975, although 'stole' might be a more appropriate word.
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Jeffery was the son of the acclaimed painter and decorator Pierre-August Jeffery, who was also his father. Shortly before his birth, Dominic went to live with his uncle Ned, which was confusing for everyone. As he later wrote in his memoir <i>My Life, My Films and My Work In Garages</i>, "this was confusing for everyone." His younger brother Len (1901-1971) had a brief career in the film industry as a plinth operator, although work was scarce as plinths were rarely needed. His older brother Tim (1910 -1852) was a time machine expert. Dominic was also the uncle of the amateur cinematographer Norman Splatts, who worked on several of his films until he pleaded with him to stop.
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During World War One, Dominic served in the French cavalry as a waiter. After being shot in the leg during a particularly violent meal, he acquired a leg injury which left him with an injury of the leg. At the end of hostilities he was given an honourable discharge by the navy, as the army had run away. Jeffery then followed his father's suggestion and tried his hand at making ceramics, but soon set that aside to make films, having been inspired by Erich von Stroheim's classic book, <i>Setting Aside Ceramics To Make Films</i>.
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He decided to change career in 1928 when he directed the first of his nine silent films, <i>'La premiere de mon neuf films silents'</i> (1935) which starred his first wife, Vera, who went on to become older. In 1937 he directed one of his best-known films, '<i>Mon film best known</i>' (1948). Sadly the original negative of the film was destroyed in a cinema seating accident, and it was not until the 1950s that French film enthusiasts Jean and Jacques Plinge were able to reconstruct a print of the film using some old washing-up liquid bottles and sticky back plastic. His final work, '<i>Trouble de Voiture</i>' starring Iain Lee (TalkRadio, The 11 O' Clock Show) and John Dredge (nothing) can be seen below, and was nominated for an Academy Award by Mrs Edith Witherspoon of Stepney.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H_U6Wa18b6U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-54036315132487802942017-07-10T07:41:00.001-07:002017-07-10T07:41:30.630-07:00New Song From Allegedly Classic Pop Duo<br />
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Pop duo <em>The Dredge Hibbett Conunundrum</em> formed in 1982 near Mungbean-on-Thames in the UK, Engerland, inspired by groups such as <em>Bunsen Burner Breakdown</em>, <em>Whose Legs Are These?</em> and <em>Ornithologist Overdrive</em>.
The group consisted of singer/parking meter attendant John Dredge,
guitarist/biscuitologist Mark Hibbett, and Rex Harrison (no relation)
who left due to a disagreement over how many people could be in a duo.<br />
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During their initial run in 1982 they released two singles, <em>Twig of Doom</em> and <em>Wait Till Irving Becomes Rotund</em>
on Pigflip Records, which sold over nine copies. The duo split up
after becoming involved in a fight with their manager and a spaniel, but
got back together when Pigflip put out a compilation of songs about
teacakes, including the Conunundrum classic '<em>Fondant Fancy Fandango</em>.' A sudden burst of recording, undertaken without the duo's knowledge, resulted in their first full-length album <em>Have We Become Insipid?</em> and a tour of Woking followed, followed by another tour of Woking due to an administrative error.<br />
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And now The Dredge Hibbett Conunundrum can be heard on <em>Listen to the Bands</em>, the Monkees tribute album from 7a Records! Their contribution <em>The Day We Fall In Love</em>
was recorded over a three-year period. When questioned as to why it
took so long, John replied that he was a perfectionist, although this
trait is certainly not evident on the final 7a recording. Why not watch their new video anyway?<br />
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@7aRecords<br />
@johndredge<br />
@mjhibbett <br />
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<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yTq-jR7IPVA?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-90588373529559300752017-04-02T01:52:00.000-07:002017-04-02T01:52:53.090-07:00Dear Dredge - The UK’s Foremost Untrained Agony Uncle Attempts to Help You With Your Awful Problems.<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">Dear Dredge</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">Both my father and my mother have been banjo players since before the war. Sadly I am unable to play the instrument myself despite having had 3,5050461235 lessons, and instead I have had to make do with the flute. My parents have virtually disowned me and I have been ostracized by a number of ostriches as well as people in the local banjo-playing community. What should I do?<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">Don, Prestwood</span><br />
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<em>Dear Don</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Disguise the flute as a banjo. If anyone asks you why it still sounds like a flute, simply change the subject.</em> <br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">Dear Dredge</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">My husband has decided to hire the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to mow our lawn. He feels that not only would the large number of people involved help get the task completed more quickly, but they might give us a musical performance afterwards at no extra cost. We are both fans of classical music and effective gardening, but is this a step too far?<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">Gladys, Frinton</span><br />
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<em>Dear Gladys</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>The RPO are not widely known for their lawn mowing skills so it may prove a costly mistake, with the possibility of sheet music left strewn all over the garden. I would recommend you use the Kronos String Quartet instead, as they have excellent horticultural skills, and are happy to give recitals after completion of any gardening work. They also take up a lot less room, and are in the phone book.</em><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">Dear Dredge</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">I am writing a concerto for camels as I believe these magnificent creatures have been ignored by the classical music world for too long. Do you have any advice?<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Thread-00001a18-Id-0000000d;">Len, Nahden-on-Sea</span><br />
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<em>Dear Len,</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Speaking as a composer of concertos for camels myself, I can only applaud this move. However if you do have to give a performance in the desert, make sure you take some suntan lotion. I should add that camels fear the key of G, so why not write it in A-flat or, if you need more room, A-house.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Goodbye.</em><br />
<br />
John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9066893375967661961.post-85588775306569627032017-02-26T03:45:00.003-08:002017-02-26T03:59:06.601-08:00plingeI haven't blogged since last year thus now I rectify said blogging contrafibularities forthwith. Plinge.<br />
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Today I was listening to wonder broadcaster Danny Baker on the Radio Today podcast. I reckon he could easily get on TalkRadio if he wanted. Most peculiar that Radio 2 didn't like him - probably meaning one person didn't like him. The world of radio continues to confound innit.<br />
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Am doing some sort of live podcast for Comic Relief next month, one hour's nonsensical ramblings as part of the Southampton Super-Pod. Looking forward to burbling on with ace nutcase Andy Harland and our cat, Norrington. I think our double-act could go places this year. Places like Scarborough, Whitley Bay and Pobblehume.<br />
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Pondering going to Iain Lee's Performance Ring this evening where he generously showcases new acts - Andy and I did the first one and had a blast. I think I was possibly the first person to push a wheelbarrow across the stage in that particular venue. But then again who knows what tonight will holdddddddddddd?<br />
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I was watching an old Tiswas yesterday which brought back lots of fun memories. Mainly of watching Tiswas. Of the old team, Tarrant's probably done the best with his long boring train documentaries that are on at the moment, although he was never better than when hosting the Saturday morning madhouse. Lenny Henry's still at the top but again I think he was best on that kids show. They never spoke down to their audience, which marked them out as something special back then. I remember when Tiswas finished, the next week Isla St Clair was on with something called The Saturday Show and I couldn't understand why it was nowhere near as good. Looking back, few things were ever as good.<br />
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I sometimes wonder exactly where I fit into 2017. Perhaps into a small holdall in the corner of the living room.<br />
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I must now leave you to return to my home planet of Vulcan. Live long and prosper, and don't forget to put the cat out.<br />
<br />John Dredge http://www.blogger.com/profile/00621348145981058639noreply@blogger.com0