I've got way too much spare time on my hands...

As I have mentioned before, the problem with working in a school is that I get quite a fair bit of time of work each year. These past 5 weeks have gone slowly, and I really can't wait for the new term to begin next week. Because I've been bored these past few days, I thought I would write another song - but this time I thought "how about creating a music video to go with it".

I've got way too much spare time on my hands.....

I present to you my latest musical masterpiece. Its yet another Commodore 64 remix (this time being a remix of one of my favourite Commodore 64 songs from a game called Comic Bakery, and originally written by Martin Galway). The video that accompanies the song was rushed, and put together in literally 30 minutes or so, so I apologise for the appalling acting, and dodgy special effects!!! - Watch out for an oscar-nominating performance from Kieran Wilson towards the end of the video.

Yes.. I know, I have a sad obsession with the Commodore 64!

* You can download the video here (WMV - Windows Media Player required) . Be warned that the file is approximatly 20mb in size so a broadband connection or equivalent is recommended.

OR

* You can download just the plain audio MP3 from here. The file is 4.56mb in size

I really hope you like this song - I'm rather proud with how it turned out.

Your Guide to Laindon - Part 2 - The Alcatraz Estate (Five Links)

Your guide to the place to live in Laindon.... The Five Links Estate (AKA Alcatraz).

The Five Links Estate was a housing estate made up from 6 (yes - SIX, so why Five Links?) sections. You had Brendons, Handley Green, Somercotes, Newbury Side, Mellow Purgess, and Laindon Link. Brendons and Laindon Link have both been renamed and Handley Green is in the process of being renamed to Beeston Courts. I lived for 25 years of my life at 176 Handley Green up until I moved to Evesham in 2002. The estate was built I believe in 1970 and wasn't a bad place until only recently when the council decided it would be a good idea to redevelop the entire estate.

The estate is nearly unrecognisable to what it was once. Now, the place looks run down, and I don't think it will be long before they decide to just pull down the whole estate. Shame, as I have so many fond childhood memories of this place.

1. Welcoming sign to one of the links... Handley Green (where I lived)

2. My old house (the house in the corner with the white door)

3. A random block from Mellow Purgess. Actually, it just so happens that a good friend of mine lived at the house with the white door. Spent many times round that house many years ago.

4. Back to Handley Green - my sister lived at that house 10 years or so ago. Note that all the blocks look more or less the same. If you have never visited the estate before, it is very easy to get lost. Apparently the entire estate has around 1600 house/flats so that gives you an idea of how big the place is.

5. One of the many alleyways on the estate. Not a great place to walk down in the dark - the street lights hardly ever work. This alley is in Somercotes and leads to a couple of shops. I use to walk this way when I went to school. An old granny lived in a house on the right of the alley - her garden backed up onto the alley and I always waved to her every morning!!!!!!

6. My old local shops. These shops are located in Somercotes (actually, it is now just one shop). It was once a newsagents run by some Patel character and a small general groceries store run by a really friendly family. They closed shop some time ago, and Patel took over both units.

7. Another alley

8. Luxury Flats (??!!)

9. Another random block

10. I took this picture over a year ago. 227 Handley Green was the home of one of my best friends (Steven) and I spent a great amount of my childhood round this house. The house has since been demolished, and a carpark and new houses have been built on the site.

11. As picture 10, I use to play Tennis here with Steven - and this is the view I had.

12. Steves old back garden.

Your Guide to Laindon - Part 1 - Laindon Shopping Centre

After our recent visit back to my home town, I thought I would write a post here describing the wonders that await any visitors to wonderful Laindon. I begin my Visitors Guide to Laindon with the Shopopolis that is Laindon Shopping Centre!! Forget London, New York City, or any of those other places - Whatever you need, you will find it in Laindon...

Laindon Shopping Centre was built sometime in the early 1970's, and has such major landmarks like Clock House (with the clock that very rarely tells the correct time). Many shops have been and gone in the centre over the past 30 years or so like Rumbelows, Godfreys, Laindon Lanes Market, Peachey's Fresh Fare, Internationals, plus many, many more. In fairness, during its heyday it was an extremely popular shopping parade, but in this day and age of supermarkets like Asda and Tesco, nobody wants to buy from small shops anymore. Still, the large amount of empty shop units in the centre is still partly because whoevever owns the centre is still overcharging on the rent for the units. I don't think it will be long before the whole centre is pulled down - infact, there is a rumour going around saying that IT WILL be pulled down eventually.

Anyway.... the guide...

1. As you approach Laindon from the old Alcatraz Estate (The Five Links Estate) - Note the paths that haven't been looked after for years. When I was a little boy, I actually made a camp with a few friends beneath that bridge.

2. Walking over the bridge. The excitement as you approach Laindon Shops is getting unbearable.

3. Looking west while on the bridge, you can see Laindon Shopping Centre. The rusting sign at the entrance of the near empty carpark welcomes everyone to this wonderous shopping mecca.

4. Walking down the slope leading to Laindon Shopping Centre. To the left (up the steps) is the Laindon Health Centre. The building on the right with the boarded up windows was once the thriving Laindon Library. When it closed, it was empty for some time before being turned in some African Centre - a place which apparently tried to promote African culture (in Laindon?????). They moved out and the building is now empty.

5. Walking into Laindon Shopping Centre. Be careful not to get crushed by the enormous amount of people who visit these shops. The old library (and ex African Centre) is to the right, while old abandoned offices are to the left. At the far end of the picture is an empty unit which I remember was once a place you could rent out computer games. Even today writing is still on the windows offering potential customers the chance to rent out "Amiga, Atari ST, Game Gear, IBM, Gameboy, and Megadrive games".

6. This is it - Look at that!! Laindon Shopping Centre in all of its glory. Remember, this picture was taken during the towns busiest period (about 11.30am in the morning). On the left is some cheapo shop selling.... crap. It was once a large Kwik Save. Laindon has a couple of those cheap shops that sell total tat to people. You know the ones!!!!!!

7. Mega Save (which has been shut for over 7 years now I think!!!). It was once called Lo-Cost, and before that I remember it being the freezer shop "Cordon Bleu". The shop to the right of Mega Save was where I once worked. Peachey's the Fruit and Veg shop!! I worked there from October 1995 till around December 1999. The shop closed a couple of years ago I believe.

8. Another view of Mega Save, and Peachey's, with the pillar where we once displayed all of our flowers and plants which we sold,

9. At the other end of Laindon Shopping Centre. A Fish and Chips shop is the first unit on the left, and they are actually quite good. We had an Abbey National bank here once but they went ages ago. The unit remained empty for ages before being turned into an Adult Shop. Speaking of banks, we had just about every major bank in the centre once.... many moons ago.... I think the only one that remains now is Lloyds TSB. Oh, to the right of the picture is the Laindon Shopping Centre's only place to go at night and get pissed..... The Joker!! It wasn't a bad pub when I lived in Laindon, although I'd hate to say what the place is like now. Just looking at the boarded up entrance in Picture 10 kind of puts me off going in and getting a drink.

10. The boarded up entrance to The Joker public house. How welcoming.

11. Slope leading down to EVEN MORE shopping delights in Laindon Shopping Centre. If you carry on, you will find the towns toilets - I would advise not to use them... you don't know who lives in there.

12. As you can see, this part of the centre is as lively as the rest. We have an off-license, a card shop (where my mum works by the way!!), a pizza place, oh and more importantly a Funeral Directors.

And there you have it. Visit Laindon Shopping Centre, and try not to spend too much money.

We're back....

Well, we arrived home last night after travelling for nearly 5 hours (bit longer than usual). Had a nice time back in Laindon - pity we couldnt have stayed longer. We didn't get to do much while we were away simply because we just didn't have the time. We did manage to catch up with our friends Pete and Gemma (and their new baby Amy), and Dan, Jodie, Tamsyn and Jaysen. Always nice to catch up with them.

I have to admit that as of late, I have been feeling a little homesick. I think some of it comes from the incident which happened when me and Michelle were on Holiday in Weymouth with her family. Things were said, and it just makes Basildon seem a little more 'welcoming'. I'm sure if it wasn't for my job, we would seriously consider moving back.

I lived in Laindon, in the same house for over 25 years, and will always consider it home. Problem is, with the major housing development and improvement project which is currently underway on my old estate, everytime we return, the place just looks more and more different each time we visit. All my childhood play areas are being ripped up, and redeveloped into houses and flats and it kind of makes me feel a little sad. When we arrived last Thursday night, as we got off the train, the differences in the estate were more noticeable than ever before. I took a load of pictures so that I can remember the place before they transform the whole estate into something that is completely unrecognisable to me. I have too many memories (good and bad) of that place and would hate to lose them.

Well the school summer holidays are nearly over (thankgod). ONE WEEK TO GO!! I just want to get back to work next week and for things to return back to normal again.

Well, after years of saying "no, I will never do it", I have decided to apply for my provisional driving licence. Actually, I completed the application form in May, but never got round to actually posting the thing. The problem about living in Evesham is that it is extremely difficult to get anywhere unless you drive. You can't really depend on public transport, and the trains are rare (well, you might be lucky and get one an hour). We are going to Essex to see my family and friends today back in Laindon, and it would be so much easier if I could just drive it instead.

We're looking forward to getting away.. even if it is for only a couple of days. Catching the 17:38 train and should reach Laindon at 21:01.

Bye for now :)

Benvenuto al mio 3D colosseum (parte 2)

Just a quick update on my Colosseum 3D object. I've nearly finished the arena. Some corridors exist but need texturing, lighting and adding finishing touches.

Once the arena is finished, I then need to add some buildings around the outside and edit the surrounding landscape (hills etc.) before I have a finished 3D scene which I can then animate and use in a VR movie which I have in mind.