Computer mad, United mad, Music mad, Footie mad. Photography, wildlife, Gil Elvgren Artwork , Kyodai Mahjongg , driving, being with my kids, Indian food. I'm facinated by Roman history, and am collecting books on the subject.The video below is the final couple of minutes (of injury time) of the 1999 Champions League Final. United 1:0 down. What a night that was!I would love to say that I play football, cricket and squash, but sadly all I can say now is that I used to play football, cricket and squash. Unfortunately, my body just isn't up to it at the moment! So, I'm a keen armchair, can of beer sportsman. I do a bit of cycling now and then, and am trying various ways to lose weight. I've decided to put the amputation on the back burner as this may be a little too drastic... I like to settle down with a good book and of course I couldn't be without my trusty computers and my music.
In no particular order, and I'm saddened that some of these people are no longer with us.
Ronnie Barker - A true comic genius.
Tommy Cooper - Could make me cry with laughter by doing nothing!
Sir Alex Ferguson - I'd like to shake his hand.
Kate Winslett - So I could kidnap her and keep her for myself!
Debbie Harry - My first true crush.
Kate Bush - A fantastic talent!
Elmer Fudd - For his dogged persistence in his pursuit of that pesky wabbit!
Paul Whitehouse - Another comic genius and great actor.
Sharon den Adel - Lead singer with Within Temptation . No explanation needed...
Things that really annoy me!:
Racists - Of any colour or creed.
Cruelty of any kind - to Animals or Humans.
Inconsiderate people.
Tyrannical bosses.
Bible bashers - let me believe what I want!
Books that have been back folded.
Wasps.
People who drink and drive.
Bullies.
People who think it's OK to cheat.
Bad drivers (who think they're good).
Broken biscuits that fall into your Coffee!
Dark winter evenings.
Dark winter mornings.
Boasters.
20 items in the 10 items checkout.
Rain on my day off.
Teachers who want MORE holidays (Bless em!).
Uncontrollable dogs.
Uncontrollable dogs owners.
Hayfeaver.
Snobs.
Shoe shops.
Junk mail & Spam.
Born again Christians
(It's too late - you're only born once).
Bills with service charge included.
Men who think they're Gods gift.
Women who think they're Gods gift.
Some politicians.
Ignorance (It's not an excuse).
Tractor drivers who don't pull over.
Litterbugs.
Losing.
People who take up two parking spaces.
My Web Sites:
Andy's Resource Centre for Kyodai Mahjongg
Andy's Computer Services
My alta ego!:My favourite band is Within Temptation , a Dutch 'Gothic Rock' band probably more well known in continental Europe. Fantastic music and a stunningly beautiful lead singer in Sharon den Adel. I'm seen them a couple of times over the past year, and their live performances are superb. I have included a couple of videos below from the band. Watch, listen and enjoy!The Howling (The Heart of Everything)Mother Earth (Mother Earth)Other bands that I listen to regularly, in the same genre as Within Temptation are Lacuna Coil, Leaves Eyes, Eyes of Eden, Angtoria and Xandria.I actually have a very varied taste in music, but particularly like listening to female vocalists, from a variety of genres. My particular favourites at the moment are Karen Matheson, Maire Brennan and Delores O'Riordan. I'm always finding new artists that I like, so it's difficult to really favour one over another.Other artists that have inspired me, or just plain made me feel good are The Police, The Jam, The Moody Blues, Michael Jackson (greatly misunderstood and an incredible talent), Abba, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, ELO, Fleetwood Mac, Iron Maiden, Jean Michel Jarre, Madness and Blondie to name but a few. Seventies and eighties music always rekindles some great memories for me, so it really depends what mood I'm in as to what I'm going to be listening to. On occasions I'm happy to listen to a bit of Mozart, Elgar or Beethoven, but that's usually at the end of the day with a single malt and a good book!Having said that, I do like a lot of modern bands and artists as well! I no longer have physical CD's, but my mp3 collection currently stands at over 1,500 albums, which consists of quite an eclectic range of music. img src="http://www.acservicesuk.com/OiNKAvatar2.jpg"
I suppose I must be a child at heart because I love anything Pixar and films of that ilk. I'm not really into anything too heavy.Mississippi burning is another favourite, along with Pulp Fiction, and of course anything with Kate Winslet in it! Some films just hold their appeal. I like the Die Hard films and the Jurassic Park trilogy, just because they are so easy to watch. If I have to think about the film too much then it tends to bore me, and as for subtitles...
British comedies. Blackadder (well, anything with Rowan Atkinson in actually), Red Dwarf, Only Fools and Horses, The Fast Show, and other such programmes.I also like crime drama, including Rebus, Morse, Frost, Midsomer etc.Wildlife Documentaries, especially with David Attenborough narrating. History programmes, especially about ancient Rome and medieval Britain. Footie!
Crime fiction - Ian Rankin, Stephen Booth, John Harvey, Graham Hurley, Peter Robinson, Colin Dexter, Reginald Hill, Mark Billingham, Caroline Graham, Stuart Pawson.
My Mum and Dad, for giving me a fantastic childhood, and for always being there for me.
Other Stuff!
I'll be using this space for other stuff about me - when I get time...
My Music:
As it's going to be some time before I become adept enough to hold a tune on my guitar, and let's face it, I'm never going to be able to sing, all I can offer the music community are the pieces of Techno I created below. They're not everyone's cup of tea, and not even my own preferred genre, but I enjoyed making them. Hope you enjoy it... And a special thanks to my son Charlie, for his input on 'Transitions'.Just press play... Use the drop down arrow for more songs.Or visit my myspace music page HERE
Poetry:
Those of you who know me will probably be surprised that I quite like poetry, in fact when I discovered this I was quite surprised myself. I always used to think that poetry absolutely had to rhyme, else it was just a passage of writing. Having studied it in more depth however, I have completely changed my views on this powerful genre of the arts...Click on the link below to read a selection of my own poetry. I don't claim it to be good, but I enjoyed writing it, and will hopefully add more as time goes by. My Poetry
Digital Art:
I haven't been dabbling with digital art all that long. Well that's a white lie, I started a couple of years ago but haven't really devoted much time to it. The link below takes you to a few images I created. Very basic, but I hope to be more adventurous when time allows... My Digital Art
Things I would like to do...
Play the guitar! actually I'm trying to teach myself now, with the aid of the Internet. If anyone out there wants to give me lessons I'd be very happy!
Can't you see I'm struggling? My fingers don't seem long enough to be able to play the chords, or is that just practise? Help me someone!Travel the World! Unfortunately, I fear this isn't going to happen unless I win the lottery. There's so much I would like to see! Ho hum.... Maybe one day!
Some more about me!
Everything you wanted to know (or not), but were afraid to ask.Colour - Orange
Food - Indian
Pet - Cat
Animal - Tiger
Car - Jaguar
Season - Summer
Drink? - Very Little
Smoke? - No
Sport - Footie
Team - Manchester United!
Religion - Is the root of all evil
Tea or Coffee - Tea
Sweet or Savoury - Savoury
Morning or Night - Night
Blondes or Brunettes - Black!
Leg or Breast - Chicken or Turkey?
Comedy or Drama - Comedy
High Point - Becoming a Dad (twice)
Low Point - My Divorce
Weakness - Maltesers
In Love? - Yes
Fun!