Friday 23rd September 2005

A year ago, I was working in London. While this should be common knowledge, it may be a pleasant surprise to those of you coming to my blog after searching for mp3s on Google. Last weekend, I was in the capital to help a friend rebuild their laptop. En route, I stopped off at my old stomping ground and past the offices that I had called, ‘work’ for five months in 2004. Lunchtimes would be spent within the confines of St. Paul’s Cathedral (when it was open) perhaps one of London’s greatest landmarks, if only for the city skyline.

At the time I did not have the time to capture the moment, but on a beautiful mid September afternoon, I was able to finally store the image. Picture the scene if you will. Your first summer in the real world, drawing past, as you sit and take in the people around you. A blatant mixture of tourists and busybody management times. One group in a slightly bigger hurry than the other. In the middle of this, I find myself a bench and eat a quick sandwich and drink. A short rest bite before I go back to get on with my job. Things had, if I recall, taken a turn for the worse and I was under pressure to get as many computers rollout as possible. Time was not on my side and more a foe, then friend. Looking back I wish I had made more of time in the city, our capital. Who knows, maybe my time will come around again, and I will get one more chance.

Do you remember, Wagon Wheels? Depending on your age and location in the world, this should instantly bring back lunchtimes at school, munching on this marsh mellow centred jewels, which were actually, biscuits.

On Tuesday (13th) last week, my colleague through one at me, which (as you would expect) acrobatically caught! I snapped a quick picture with my 6230 camera phone, before I took that trip down memory lane at lunchtime. The packaging may have changed, just slightly but the product under the wrapper, is thankfully still the same. Meanwhile share your memories of this classic playground chocolate snack, by leaving a comment! Usually I am clued up with the dates, but unfortunately I cannot remember, so may have to come back to you with an exact date (after crawling the archives). It has been several months, if not years since I had my last MJ moment. To the uneducated, my MJ moments are as follows. My mood will swing in a direction, when the music of only one man, can save me. When I got my MP3 CD car stereo, in December 2002, one of the first MP3 CDs I burnt was a compilation of Michael Jackson songs, along with a small directory devoted to the number ones of the Beatles. The last time I remember listening to this CD, I was stuck in heavy track on the M25 (just before junction 20). Some kids were in a people carrier ahead and laughing at me bobbing along to Beat It and other classics. Yet, I had no care in the world. (Yes, this is a different Teg to the one you might in the street). Fast forward to early evening, this Friday. I was screaming on the by-pass hitting 85, trying to catch up with a turquoise green Polo (just a 1.4 mind!) We hit heavy traffic and I knew it was time to change the record, literally. It was time for Michael. I changed discs, while changing gear and keeping four eyes on the road. Negotiating this rather minor obstacle, I sat back to listen to wall to wall MJ classics. First came Beat It, then Billie Jean. I longed for Unbreakable, but for a change, my telepathic stereo was not in tune with my tired mind. In the end I had to settle for (if you can ever use such a phrase when it comes to the King Of Pop) The Way You Make Me Feel. Blasting at high volume as I pulled onto the drive, I realised it was Friday and the weekend was mine to make or break. While listening to Jackson in the car, I came to the sudden realisation that this man, this human being is a genius. The songs are over twenty years old and yet they sound so fresh and modern, it is unreal. Most artists in their nature, have a flaw. You have to be in a certain type of mood to listen to them. Hence, perhaps there is a time and place for Coldplay, James Blunt and their derivatives. Yet, somehow it does not matter your mood, frame of mind, time of day, weather, season, home or away, Michael has the magic to make the moment special. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to give the collection the time it deserves. While I do recall, Sunday afternoons spent just driving my local town, listen to greatest entertainer of all time. One thing I know is true, he will be back to retake his crown. It does not take a rocket scientist, to come to the conclusion that this artist is…

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