Many many years ago I was given a book in my Christmas stocking called The Exam Secret. It argued, cogently, wittily and somewhat dangerously, that the secret of exams was to entertain the examiner. This nugget of insight is something I’ve alwa[…]

From a great big interview about Civilisation IV:
IGNPC: How do governments work this time around?
Barry Caudill: There are no set governments anymore. In Civilization 4, you can choose from various civics and combine them to make the type of govern[…]

If you have a copy of Poptimism CD3 (with the girl drinking cola from the bottle on the cover) then here is what you might end up listening to:
1. COWBOY TROY – “I Played Chicken With The Train” – hoedown hip-hop from the huge[…]

The Flying Lizards – Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine)”
The first time I heard this I thought it was terrible. It seemed to be an arch version which focussed on the inanity of “Sex Machine”‘s lyrics, i.e. staggeri[…]

During the 3 years in which I did not shave the science of razors appears to have advanced by leaps and bounds. I don’t believe I ever used the amazing 3-bladed Mach 3 razors and certainly back in the day we never had the remarkable and TOTALLY[…]

The Wandle Valley Festival, 12-13 June 2005
What is it? A celebration of South London’s own river, this festival has the distinction of happening within walking distance of my house. The rather byzantine website eventually gives up the festival[…]

Every now and then the Guardian’s real actual comments pages address a musical topic. Freed from the sensible confines of the arts section these are reliably bonkers provocative and are definitely the most entertaining musical coverage the pape[…]

The clouds are out, the thermometer is down, the air is damp: what better time for a FESTIVAL? This month’s Blog 7 will be putting on a garish shirt and decamping to the country for a few weeks of messing about in tents and standing in the driz[…]

The Fairie Festival at Spoutswood Farm in Pennsylvania, May 2006
What is it? Not just for kids! Ten thousand people gather to celebrate the coming of the nature spirits, including a host of activities such as gnome and elf tours. Plenty of Irish musi[…]

Live 8, Sail 8… this can only end one way:[…]