Live The Rewind: A SingleTeer's Odyssey

I went to see Elbow. They were fantastic... never seen them before. Check out their album "The Seldom Seen Kid" and one of their top tunes, "One Day Like This".

To see photos, click on the following link...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=167384&l=f6b81&id=634935430

Here's a video of them performing "One Day Like This".



Elbow comprises lead vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Guy Garvey, guitarist and back up vocalist Mark Potter, keyboardist and back up vocalist Craig Potter, bassist Pete Turner and drummer Richard Jupp.

I went with my brother, Shaleen, to see Heather Nova for the 2nd time ever, at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London. I first saw her in Newcastle Upon Tyne in December 1998 so it was a decade later and she's still as good as she always was.

To see photos, click on the following link...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=167198&l=fb27c&id=634935430

Also, some vids to enjoy!!









If you're interested, check her out... albums include Glow Stars, Oyster (Amazing!!!), Siren and Storm... live albums include Wanderlust. Standout tracks include Heal, Island, Walk This World, I Have The Touch, Doubled Up, London Calling etc etc etc...

Heather's band for the night were: -

Heather Nova: vocals, guitar, keyboards
Berit Fridahl: guitar, backing vocals
Bastian Juel: bass, backing vocals
Geoff Dugmore: drums, percussions

If you are interested, I thought you might like to see some photos from my trip to Dublin... while I was there I made new friends in Chuck, Connie, Jackie and Devora and we hung out together seeing sights and sipping Guinnesses. I also met up with DaraLynne whom I had met and travelled with in Xian, China, back in July 2006. It was great to see her again.

Album 1 - http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=159184&l=9bb6d&id=634935430
Album 2 - http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=159188&l=3c43e&id=634935430
Album 3 - http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=159198&l=93c28&id=634935430

Enjoy…

Also, before I forget to mention... On Sunday I went to see the last showing of La Clique as part of the Dublin Fringe Fest. We weren’t allowed to take photos, but here’s a promo from YouTube that’ll give you an idea of what the show was like… kind of an adult cabaret, circus thing. Very cool, very fun and occasionally very weird.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWTukJW9MI8

On the theme of Ireland, I hope things are greener where you are :o)

Live The Rewind... it never ends :o)

I went to the Netherlands in May 2008 to see my Dutch friends I met whilst travelling... Janneke from Nijmegen, Willemijn from Rotterdam, Wendy from Amsterdam and Maaike from Hoorn.

To see pics of the trip, click on the links below and enjoy... captions will be updated at some point.

Nijmegen
- http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=151140&l=3469e&id=634935430
Rotterdam plus surrounds…
- http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=151145&l=419aa&id=634935430
Amsterdam plus surrounds…
- http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=151150&l=79463&id=634935430
Hoorn plus surrounds…
- http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=151156&l=ad8b7&id=634935430

Where and when I met my Dutch friends

I travelled through Vietnam meeting Janneke in Hoi An and we travelled together to Hue, Halong Bay, Sapa and Hanoi. Janneke continued on to Laos and I returned to Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City is where I met Maaike briefly for the first time.

I continued, alone, from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and met Willemijn on that tour. Whilst in Phnom Penh, I hung out with Willemijn and we met Maaike again. Me, Willemijn and a couple of other people then travelled Cambodia from Phnom Penh to Siem reap to Sihanoukville and then entered Thailand ending in Koh Chang where after a few days, I said goodbye to Willemijn.

I continued on to Chiang Mai and Bangkok where I met Janneke after her Laos trip. We travelled Bangkok to Kanchanaburi to Koh Tao. I said goodbye to Janneke and 2 days later in December 2006 I was in Australia.

On my last couple of weeks in Australia in January 2007, I met Wendy between Adelaide and Melbourne on the Great Ocean Road tour. I then met her again briefly and said goodbye to Wendy in Sydney before flying to New Zealand.

Whilst in Queenstown, New Zealand, I met Maaike again and we spent 4 days travelling the South of the South Island together. I said goodbye to Maaike in Invercargill, New Zealand.

#Deeper than deep you took me on a trip baby#

I just logged in to say that it's been a year... yes, it has. a year since I returned from Toronto, emotionally bruised upon my return, with the sudden sights, smells of England... or rather, Heathrow. There's no perfect end to how a major trip like mine ends, and it took me a few weeks getting used to being back.

The initial weeks of boredom, unpacking, late nights (no plans), reviewing photos, holding on and then slowly the process of moving on...

I turned down job offers including one from McLaren... I accepted an offer to work for Jaguar/ Land Rover in Coventry last September. I stayed with them for 10 weeks before being "poached" by Tata Motors. A great career move as it takes me at least two steps further technically and had a great package to suit. I also get sent to India (Pune) once every few weeks. I've done 4 trips so far...

And on the work front, it has been good. I feel like I have made a difference and continue to do so.

On the non-work front, it's not so bad. I have a few friends locally who I try to catch up with often. they keep me sane... which I tell you is a hard job. I try to get back to see family and friends... so much so that I have been in Coventry since mid September 2007 and haven't spent a whole weekend in Coventry yet.

I've been to Scotland, Germany, Holland and Canada in the previous year... of course, India too... I've given friends advice on where in the world to go see... and what to do.

I've written stuff for the first time - I mean musically. I'm not great, but that isn't the point... It's a joy that the experiences I had while travelling are a catalyst for such creative energy both lyrically and musically. Maybe some of that might see the light of day. As a writer I like once said, "The song belongs to they who listen. You have to already want to listen to my ’songs’, so to speak, in order to hear them."

Anyway, let's not stray too far...

I still have so many travel tales to write on my blog... it's all still vividly clear in my head, so there's no fear of forgetting... ;o)

And through it all, life goes on. More babies are being born, more birthdays come and go, more engagements and weddings... and separations. And occasionally, well... you know... the goodbyes.

So here's to not only living the rewind, but living now... and looking forward.

There'll be more blogs on some of the trips I've made recently... stay tuned. Until then,

My very best.

Adi in 2008 Just a current pic of me for those of you who haven't seen me in a while... Adi

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas...in a video message!!! :o) I'm not sending any Christmas cards this year and the attached Christmas Video Message from me also explains why...



2006-2007 was an amazing year for me, as most of you know, because of my round-the-world trip that I completed in July 2007. I am now back in the world of work and reality, and those days are a fond memory - that include many friends I made / met and the unforgettable places I have seen, the "adrenaline pumping" things I have done... plus a whole lot more.

I hope to see all of you - family, friends and the casual acquaintance - some day again... until then, I wish you my very best for this Christmas and the fast approaching new year. I hope your dreams come true in 2008.

Adi

Last night I went to Leamington Spa with my mate Rich to see Common Rotation in concert. It was immense fun... a mellow, acoustic set of almost folky music... add dinner, a couple of drinks, music - awesome!!! Then prior to the show I went up to Adam Busch (one half of CR last night) and said "Hi". He remembered meeting me at a show back in 2002 which was cool. We caught up after the show for a chat... both he and Eric (Kufs) were cool and very gracious and witty... I'm very impressed with Eric's guitar work as well as their lyrics.

All in all the night was a blast and David Berkeley was surprisingly impressive too... seeing that I didn't know him or his music.

Here's a pic of me and the Common Rotation boys - Adam Busch and Eric Kufs



If you're interested in the music, I have 7 wonderful videos for you to watch - all you have to do is "Click It and See".

Common Rotation 1 of 7 - Union Maid


Common Rotation 2 of 7 - Indie Rockin


Common Rotation 3 of 7 - Innocent When You Dream


Common Rotation 4 of 7 - Bitter Honey


Common Rotation 5 of 7 - All I Have To Do Is Dream


Common Rotation 6 of 7 with David Berkeley - Look At Miss Ohio (Rag Top Down)


Common Rotation 7 of 7 with David Berkeley - Jackson


Hope you enjoyed that... till next time.

This is... The Rewind. Live!

My brother Shaleen and I travelled up to Scotland by car to attend Wendy and Tony's wedding. After a 400 mile journey to Scotland, where we got stopped enroute by the police who informed me that my headlight was out and that the other one was too high and dazzled people in front of me... we arrived and I had a beer shoved in my hand. It was nice as was dinner... but really all we wanted to do was go to bed. But first I had to try on the kilt... which I did, the wrong way round. Everyone found it hilarious...

Saturday and the wedding day was awesome... everyone looked amazing in their best glad rags. I felt free yet exposed wearing what I can only term a skirt but soon I was getting used to it. The ceremony was touching, Max started to cry during the sweet and soppy Spanish poem and we all huddled up close for a group photo afterwards.

It was great to see folks whom I hadn't seen in almost 8, maybe 10 years. Shaleen and I had a great time catching up and enjoying the festivities... it ended too soon though and we had to end it all by midnight. However, everyone was in good spirits and the music, dancing, food and drink had been excellent as was the company.

On Sunday, after a mellow breakfast and some (almost) tearful farewells, Shaleen and I promised to be back within another 10 years, and headed down south into England... it was to be another 8.5 hour, 400 mile journey... and towards the end with 45 miles to go, we came to a complete standstill. An accident had closed the motorway so we switched off our engines, wraped up warm and cursed the stillness that was the highway ;o)

Arrived home at 11.00pm only to wake up at 5.45am the next day to make it another 100 miles to work. Seems I've driven 2000 miles in the past two weeks. I should say... it's driving me mad. ;o)

Till next time... and enjoy the photos.

	My brother, Shaleen, adamantly deciding to not wear a kilt...
	Me as an honorary Scotsman for the day
	The bridesmaids - Lauren (Tony's neice), Lorraine (our stepmum) and Heather (Lorraine's sister)
	Aunt Irene and her sister Mary Irene is our stepmum Lorraine's mum
	Aunt Irene and I
	The happy couple - Wendy and Tony (Wendy is our stepmum Lorraine's sister)
	It's over... man and wife, Tony and Wendy
	Tony with their son Max
	Jim
	Wee Michael and Alyson
	Heather and Lorraine
	Tony and I
	Jeremy and Mary
	Vicky and her dad Michael
	Me, Alyson and Wee Michael
	Me, Lauren, Alyson and Wee Michael
	Paul and I
	Vicky, Me and Michael
	Wee Michael and Vicky - like brothers and sisters
	Lauren, Mhairi and Barbara
	Paul and Lorraine
	My brother Shaleen and I, with our stepmum Lorraine
	Beth and Michael

"...Come into my world, see through my eyes,
Try to understand, don't want to lose what (I) have..."

I'm a little sad, maybe you could call it melancholic... today is the last official day of THE Live The Rewind tour... I fly out of Toronto in 18 hours, back into the UK, into what I will call reality. I'll land in Reality (aka Heathrow) at 8am Monday morning (16th July).

I'm not going to dwell on how sad I feel, though I'm also excited to be going back, especially seeing my family again... as well as new additions I have never met... that's exciting.

Anyway I've lived my dream... Now I can reflect on what's past, live in the present and see what my future brings. There may be more adventures ahead, but that won't stop me from Living The Rewind and reminiscing though.

Who would have thought that when the seed of travelling round the world was planted in my head back in August 2005, that I would have done this? I have had people admit to me that initially they thought I was "all talk" and that I'd eventually say I'd given up on the idea. Myself included... but the dream kept getting stronger and many things aligned that allowed me to take off back in April 2006 for my first trip. And here I am at the other end...

In any case, I want to use this last day's entry to reflect... which might be a cue for most readers to run away :o)

Some things I reflect upon...

- The fear I felt the night before leaving for Moscow... the shivers, the creeps, the sense of not knowing what was going to happen, and the knowledge that it would be a while before I would see the people that mattered to me.

- The first time I tried to communicate with someone and neither of us understood a word of what each other was saying... and actually being able to communicate. What a fantastic feeling that waving your arms and making facial expressions would actually make sense to another human being.

- The view from a train window looking like a dreamy widescreen movie as we hurtled down a one way track from Moscow to Beijing.

- Realising that difference does not mean suspicion when in Moscow... Something or someone (e.g. me) is different doesn't mean that thing or person is suspicious and to be wary of. Difference is what makes travelling interesting. It's also what makes travellling frustrating but if you're inflexible, travelling is not something you'd choose to do.

- Enjoying the vast emptiness of the Mongolian Steppes and not feeling "alone". I've struggled all my life with the definition of "lonely" and "alone"... I know now that despite being alone sometimes during my trip, I have never felt lonely (except for that brief day in Beijing when I realised that I would have to go make friends instead of waiting for someone to come make friends with me).

- Hence, learning to not sit back; and actually actively plucking up the courage to meet people in Beijing (and thereby the rest of the world).

- Having my senses assualted by the sheer number of people, the sheer amount of pollution and the massive history of the most populated country in the world - China.

- Learning that down time (i.e. rest) is as equally important as being on the move. That enjoying a steamed bun and coffee and people watching is as rewarding as hiking the Great Wall of China. That having a long conversation is as rewarding as being in the company of someone and not saying a word.

- That travelling with friends is as much an adventure as travelling on your own. That the fights or disagreements you might have doesn't mean you're falling out but actually getting to know each other better and strengthening the bond you already have.

- That the capability to love, like, dislike and hate (people, places, things) is also a journey where you learn more about your own character, where you test the limits of your beliefs and possibly have to deal with aspects of yourself you realise you do or don't like. In other words, take the good with the bad.

- That you learn a lot about yourself based on the way that other people see you. And because most of them may never see you again, they can be brutally honest.

- That sometimes, despite everything, aspects of you never change. That sometimes, we're set in our ways.

- That as much as you would like to, you can't always change the world... but you can make a difference, no matter how small. You might not be able to donate thousands to an orphanage, but you can buy some supplies for $10 to get them through one day, that you can buy a street kid a drink or some food, that in some small way what you did mattered. Because if nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. And nowhere did I feel that more than in South East Asia.

- That redemption is not a myth, especially when travelling through Germany and Japan with their political histories.

- That plans by their nature sometimes don't go to plan... and to just let it go (wherever the flow takes you)... i.e. sometimes playing blind can result in the best poker hand.

- That food is as much a journey as the places I visit.

- That fear is nothing to be afraid of (I'm working on this one).

- That the country you least expect to, will actually blow your mind (Australia).

- That new friendships can sometimes last for life (or that what it seems like so far :o)

- That you'll meet celebrities when you least expect it and when you do expect, they're nowhere to be seen. And when you meet some of them, they disappoint because their real character is nothing like the one they portray on screen (and in fact is quite unlikeable). I'm referring to someone I met in NY's Central Park.

- That the unthinkable and unimaginable can happen... sometimes it's happy, sometimes it's sad.

- That hellos always almost end up getting paired with goodbyes.

- That there's almost always a "but...".

- That babies decide to come all at once ;o)

- That you can't always stay up to date with journals and emails.

- That you have more of an impact on other people's lives than you think and conversely that they have the same level of impact on yours. Read Mitch Albom's "The 5 People You Meet In Heaven".

- That humour is a major weapon in dealing with crap. And in making friends. Not that I equate dealing with crap and making friends as the same thing.

- That at the end of the day, as much as you want to deny it, it's in our genetic make up that "everyone's a little bit racist". Think about how your mind deals with stereotypes before you go denying this one.

- That sometimes it "sucks to be me". But very rarely!!!

- That most of the time it doesn't.

- That the Lord of the rings wasn't lying... New Zealand really is that beautiful.

- That adventure is just around the corner. Or in some cases, at the bottom of a long straight road. In the Australian Outback.

- That sudden tragic things happen and they inform you of what and who your real priorities are.

- That dreams do come true.

- That all good things come to an end. But that doesn't mean we're limited to one good thing.

- That laundry and packing go hand in hand with excitement and adventure.

- That walking barefoot in the sand, while waves slosh at your feet can be one of your best memories...

- That somethings cannot be said, they can only be felt.

- That the places you travel to mean more because of the people you travelled with, met, or stayed with.

- That Dutch and German people are everywhere :o)

- That bad manners and bad attitudes are most offensive and can make American capital cities a horrible place to stay.

- That staying with friends is synonymous to being home.

- That being a God Parent is a real honour... that Jake and Joshua are beautiful God-children

- That the internet has truly made travelling easier in this day and age.

- That glitz and glamour on TV does not reflect the reality - LA seemed dirty and smoggy compared to what we've seen on TV.

- That Las Vegas is fun, but incredibly seedy and dangerous if you let that in... I didn't.

- That gambling allows you to lose $60 in 3 minutes and then win $350 in 2 hours.

- That Las Vegas is another planet.

- That the Grand Canyon is really Grand! They weren't kidding.

- That lack of sleep eventually catches up with youzzzzzz...

- That I need my space... or is that MySpace?

- That the journey is equal to or more important than the destination.

- That I'm not sure what I'll be like back home... but this experience will definitely shape me.

- That when I think of people I haven't thought of in a while, the spooky thing occurs and they email me out of the blue that very same day.

- That this is not the end, but a new beginning... and as much as I would like this trip to continue right now, an end would eventually come, and I'd have to deal with it... in this case, I'm running out of finances ;o)

- That I'll have forgotten something that I wanted to include here...

- That no matter where you are, you'll still have weird, unexplainable dreams...

- That I'll forever have to explain what "Live The Rewind" means...

- and that I talk too damn much!!

- and that as much as I might try not to, that dreaded Single Tear might make an appearance. Then again it might not.

See who I am, break through the surface,
Reach for my hand, let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way... the world is in our hands,
This is not the end..."

Live It. Rewind It. Reflect Upon It. Live The Rewind.

Sunday 24th June 2007 - So, I'm in Juneau, Alaska... on a kind of star trek... you'll see what I mean.

To be continued/...