Diana's Death and the Week that Followed

Today it is 13 years since Diana, Princess of Wales died.  I hadn't realised this until I was reminded on Twitter about it.  As with most significant events, I can remember the day and the week that followed as clear as day.

I got up on the Sunday morning and wandered into the living room where my parents were sat watching a rolling broadcast from BBC News.  This was unusual in itself as mum and dad never really watched the television this early on any morning, never mind a Sunday.  Dad had turned the radio on when he woke up and when he found out they immediately went into the living room to watch the rolling bulletin.  This was our family transfixed for the next couple of hours.  I think we even had breakfast in the front room which was unheard of.  Nanna called up at about 9:30 as was the usual Sunday ritual.  She obviously didn't know anything so we pointed her in the direction of Ceefax (the News programming must have stopped or had a break at this point).  I can still hear her say that "Oh" now.

This was a rare Sunday where I wasn't at work.  It was the back end of the summer holidays from college so there was no homework to speak of.  I therefore spent most of the morning flicking between the television channels and various radio stations I could pick up.  All normal programming had been replaced with more sombre and appropriate content.  This reaction was to last  the whole week leading up to the funeral.  Never before in my 17 years had I seen this happen.  It was really quite interesting watching the various media outlets react to the situation.  I actually spent most of the day taking this all in.  Even when we ventured out in the afternoon for a bit of shopping, I made sure that the radio was on in dads car.  Every shop we went in had the radio on.  I was also a little surprised to find that the UK Top 40 wasn't broadcast as this was always on at 4pm on a Sunday, a usual programme which I listened to at the time.  Mark Goodier instead kept up the theme of playing ballads and such like.  I think that this was the only time in its history that the charts had been pulled from its schedule.

As the week went the funeral details were announced for the following Saturday morning.  Notices were put up on the buses I used to travel on to my part-time job, saying that they would stand still for 2 minutes at 11am on the day as a mark of respect.  I later found that the supermarket I worked for wasn't actually going to open until 2pm, after the funeral was over.  Again this was such a surprise to me as it made an exception to the "open all hours" policy that was in place at the time.  This also made the offering of the bus company seem inadequate.  As virtually all shops and outlet closed until after the ceremony that Saturday, I like to think that those buses ran empty for that morning.

The death of Diana, Princess of Wales was the first time I can remember books of Condolence been made and huge crowds of people wanting to leave messages in them.  I know that we had one and a fair number of people contributed.

On the day I watched the ceremony with mum and dad.  In effect it was a state funeral and again it was the first time I had witnessed one.  I watched all of it until they left church and then I had to leave for work.  That bus journey has got to have been the most solemn journey I've ever made.  It was just so quiet everywhere.  No traffic anywhere or people going about their daily lives.  When I got to work we had be let in by the Duty Manager as the doors were locked, at 1:40pm in the afternoon!  I was lucky in that I was due to do a full days work and I only had to do 3 hours.  Some people who were due to finish before the 2pm opening didn't even have to go in.  Some other people that were on a different bus route to me had to be picked by the Duty Manager as the local family firm providing their service had decided not  to run any buses to their small village.  The afternoon flew by as we were busier than normal for a Saturday afternoon for obvious reasons.

When I returned home I remember my mum complaining that dad had watched the funeral precession all the way up to Althorp where Diana was buried and that he wouldn't get on and do something else.  I think that by this time she was fed up with how much coverage there had been over the week and how much the public had got involved.

I can't really recall anything past that evening, probably because the public went back to leading their lives.

I wonder whether we will see anything like it again.  It certainly was a memorable week and one which will stick with me forever.

Going back to the media reaction on that Sunday, Matthew Rudd describes in detail  here what he had to do as a radio presenter who was on-air in Sheffield at the time of the announcement.  Give it a read, it's very interesting.

"I'll have the latest Glee album and that t-shirt over there"

Whilst on lunchtime walkabout today, I visited the Leeds City Centre branch of HMV.  It is probably one of my favourite shops and most frequented after clothes stores.  I had couple of potential purchases in mind (but only at the right price) aswell as a through the sale items to find 'hidden gems'.

Having had a quick flick through the sale racks at the front of the store, I then went up the small set of stairs in the centre of the ground floor (for those of you who are familiar with this shop), expecting to find the number of racks with the items sorted by artist/band.  I was then mortified to find that the racks which had been there for 12 years to my knowledge (since I started working in Leeds) had given way to get this........clothing rails.  That's right, you heard me correctly, numerous with t-shirts hanging from them and some clothing accessories aswell.  I think they were all items which were loosely based around music but to be honest I didn't pay a great deal of attention.  I was really shocked to see such a high number of garments in the centre of the shop.  I knew that they sold a few t-shirts but from memory they were at the back of the store as they weren't HMV's biggest selling item.

I eventually found that the CD section but my browsing proved unsuccessful today.  As I wandered back to work empty handed, I began trying to make sense of the shift round.  I guess that the top and bottom of it is that t-shirt sales represent a bigger proportion of HMV's in-store revenue, especially with the sales of CDs decreasing.  This along with the introduction of Orange mobile phone sales what they hope will maintain their High Street presence.  To me it seems all too weird for what has been synonymous with music ever since it's inception in 1921 to branch out.  It is however, a sign of the times, how music sales has moved on and how one music shop has to move forward in an industry which is becoming more reliant on technology and the internet.  In a way it is very admirable as it is clearly working.  Over the years we have seen other music stores such as Andy's Records, MVC and Virgin Megastore (although it exists in some form as Zavvi) go to the wall because they have failed to move forward. 

Where HMV will be as a brand in 10 years time?  Will they still exist?  If they do, what will they sell?  Will they still be on our High Streets, or just a web outlet à la Dixons?  The traditionalist in me still hopes that HMV will exist in town centres and that many music fans like me will still be browsing through the bargain bins and shelves, adding to their music collections.  That is of course if the CD still exists in 10 years time.

Trying to Accept Getting Old

I've come to the conclusion that I'm getting older.  I know that this is hardly a revelation but it is still a very strange feeling.  It doesn't occur to me all of the time that I am now 30 years of age.  Just every so often something happens, whether I'm responsible for it or not and my reaction is a definite giveaway that the 20 year old me would have said or done.

Here's some examples of these signs of getting old and how I've reacted:

1.  University Freshers getting younger
I work at the University of Leeds and have done since I was 18.  As you can see when I started the Freshers (or 1st year students, whichever you prefer) were from the same school year as me.  I felt pretty young and could relate to them (an important part of my previous customer facing role).
Slowly though, over the years the new intake of students seem to look younger.  Then you realise that you're a year older than last time.

2.  Criticise younger peoples outfits
As a 20 year old who liked drink, nightclubbing and designer clothes I ventured out just wearing trousers/jeans and a shirt.  Taking a jacket with me was just too much hassle as it a) could have got pinched or b) left somewhere when I was trolleyed.  Didn't need a jacket anyway as I always had the classic 'beer jacket' with me.
On the few times that I make it out on a evening/night these days, I seem to take note of the attire of the other revellers and then start 'finding fault' with it (not before I've admired the females of course - admiring women never alters as you get old!).  The faults usually have a common theme of not providing enough cover in the colder temperatures.  In the case of the females the criticism of encouraging admirers and in turn possible trouble does occur as well.

3.  Having no idea of fashion
Check out this previous blog post which covers this one.

4.  Comfy footwear rather than fashionable
The last few pairs of trainers/shoes that have been bought, top of the agenda has been whether they are comfortable rather than whether they are what everyone else is wearing.  A definite change in the thought process from when I bought my Nike Air Max trainers as a teenager (before they became the attire of a chav!).

5.  The Love of Real Ales
A big winner in the choice of a pub or drinking establishment with me is the offering of hand pulled Real Ale.  It has become one of my favourite past times these days discovering different offerings from a wide range of breweries.  Hardly any lager passes my lips these days and nor do those god forsaken alcopop drinks which come in a variety of colours.
At home, my drinks fridge consists mainly of bottled Real Ales and bottles of White Wine (the common ground in mine and Mrs. S's drink tastes).  Space is no longer required for those 3 for £20 deals on Stella Arsetois from the supermarket.

6.  The dread of a Hangover
This is the biggest change that's taken place.  I would have thought nothing of getting absolutely legless on a Friday and Saturday night and then spending alot of Sunday in bed or asleep on the sofa.  After all, that's what weekends are for aren't they?
The last memorable hangover, by which I mean full blown nausea and feeling utterly crap, seemed to last nearly 48 hours.  I took it as a sign that I was getting old and couldn't do the bigger drinking sessions anymore (yes I know I sound old before my time!).
Nowadays, the sensible me doesn't drink half as much as he used to and watches what he drinks.  I still can get a headache the next day.  For this there is a huge stash of Nurofen in the bathroom cabinet.

7.  Sounding like my Parents
Everyone will know what I mean by this one.  When you make a statement or say something, then immediately after it dawns on you that your mum or dad would say that.  In my case it's swiftly followed by a shudder and telling myself off.  It still doesn't deter me from doing again though!

8.  Passport Renewal
In the past year I've had to renew my passport as it was getting out of date.  As it was my first one, I can remember the reason why I applied for it.  I attended a number of the European Away Legs with Leeds United and it was required to allow that travel.  Can't believe it's 10 years since I went to the AS Roma game (the first game which followed the successful application of the passport),

9.  Remembering an old record
On New Years Eve, I listened to parts of the 'Top Selling Singles of the Decade' show which Nihal presented on Radio 1.  I was taken aback when he announced that the 'Baha Men - Who Let The Dogs Out' was released in 2000.  I can still remember my younger brother playing it over and over again as if it were yesterday (don't worry, his taste has improved significantly since then!).



10.  Changes in Radio Listening
Ever since I was a teenager I've listened to radio, probably even more so as I've got older.  Whilst doing jobs at home, it is more or less on all the time.  My current radio taste is of BBC 6Music as I'm really into discovering new bands before they get too big and commercial.  I also dip into BBC 5Live now and again, mainly for the sports and football programming but also for the odd political topic.  A far cry from flicking between the various Commercial stations available in Yorkshire on my journey into Leeds on a morning, catching Foxy and Tom (Viking FM), Hirsty, Danny and Jo Jo (Galaxy) before taking in one Simon Logans famous 'wind-ups' (Radio Aire).  These all made for a good journey into work at the funny material broadcast at the time (maybe this would be worth a blog entry on its own?).

These make me wonder what changes are ahead in the future and how I will cope with the next stage of 'getting old'.  An interesting and very worrying prospect.

Why don't you share some of your own signs of getting old?  Even if to show that mine are really crap!

The Expensive Cinema Visit by Alex Lester

I've just read this post by Alex Lester on a recent visit to the cinema.  It's well worth a read as it's very funny in parts. 

In fact his blog as a whole is well worth stopping by.  If you've ever listened to "The Best Time of The Day" show or the weekly "oddcast" on BBC Radio 2, you'll know that it's quality stuff.

That Shirt is Slim Fit Sir!

In response to the master blogger Matthew Rudd sharing with us his love for TK Maxx and clothes shopping, I thought I'd share with you my recent experience as a clothes shopper.  I had started writing this post and left it 'on-hold' as I couldn't decide whether it was worth publishing.  After reading Matthews post though, it has decided it was so here goes.

I too, like clothes shopping and have done ever since I began earning a wage.  My colleagues at work believe that I am crackers for wanting to go clothes shopping.  They don't see the appeal in being able to choose what you wear in a shop.  They'd rather just wear what the wife/partner brings home for them from the latest shopping trip with their friends. As someone who is very concious about his appearance and what people think of him, this definitely doesn't appeal to me.  Also, I tend to dislike more items of clothing that Mrs. S buys than like.  Therefore, it makes perfect sense for me to go and choose my stuff as there is only me to blame if I don't like it when I get home!

Having looked through my wardrobe last week, I found that many of my t-shirt and polo shirts that I wear for work were looking 'past their best'.  It's not surprising if I think about it as they are getting on a bit in years, the oldest being 8.  Alot of these older polo shirts were from sports shops who had them in the sale or on Buy One Get One Free deals.  I think a few were from Allsports (now there's a blast from the past) and Sports Soccer aka Sports Direct.com.

Anyway, earlier this week myself, Mrs. S and the little one decided to go shopping for a few replacements.  This is the norm on our household as a trip usually involves a bit of female clothes shopping and maybe some household shopping (depending if there's a Debenhams wherever we go).  As you can tell this will mean heading for a shopping centre like Meadowhall or The White Rose Centre.

However, we differed this time as I wanted to go to a TK Maxx.  The previous time buying clothes involved a trip to their Leeds branch which was very successful.  I found jeans that fit perfectly and were really comfortable, something which isn't always achieved with a bit of a belly, a big back side and large thighs.  With everything arranged by size rather than garment I thought this will be ideal.  There's nothing worse than finding a shirt which you like and then to be disappointed that there's no XL size in stock.  How wrong was I?  There were plenty of polo shirts to choose from in said size, but some were only any good if you weren't fat and the others I just didn't like.  Not wanting the world to know that I love pies and cakes, I departed and moved on to try and find items with a little more room in them.

The afternoon was spent looking in Burtons, Next and H&M.  Again, there was nothing I really liked or they were labelled 'slim fit'.  This started to become rather tedious.

I finally came to the conclusion that my taste in clothes clearly hasn't moved with the times.  This was reached when I looked at the stock in Marks and Spencer, a place where my younger self wouldn't be seen dead in.  I was still reeling from this revelation and couldn't decide on any garments and ended up coming away.

I even resorted to looking at the clothing section in ASDA. I usually avoid them because the few garments I've bought from them only last a few washes before they tend to shrink or go all out of shape. Well you do get what you pay for. I managed to get one t-shirt in the sale for £3. However, I don't think a Johnny Fartpants t-shirt is suitable for work.

This started to raise a couple of questions for me.  Why bother shopping for items when you know you think you need them?  My best purchases thinking about it have been when I wasn't really looking for that particular garment probably because there was no pressure to buy.  The other was where does someone who is larger than he should be, with a 'none modern' taste in clothes shop?  I've not been able to find the answer to that one as yet.

So, next time you do decide to go clothes shopping with a particular item or items in mind, my advice is don't because you'll probably not find it.

Premier League vs. Championship

The English football season has begun this weekend.  To alot of us football fans, it has been a long wait since the end of May.  I know we've had the World Cup this year but if we're honest the competition wasn't that exciting was it?  There wasn't a great deal of entertainment and never really lived up to the hype that was generated beforehand.  For me, the bigger teams just seemed to go out and 'do a job', probably because there was too much riding on how well they performed.

Sorry, I'm digressing from the point of this blog entry.  I'm always thankful for the fact that the Football League begins a week earlier.  It deserves to be 'top of the bill' and not be overshadowed by the holy grail of English football, the Premier League.  The product on offer is high quality.

Take the Championship for example.  It is more of an equal playing field.  There are the teams relegated from the top division of course who have the financial support of the parachute payment and the clubs promoted from League One who have alot less in the way of income.  Somehow though, this won't have as detrimental an affect on the league as it does to the Premier League.  In the past few seasons we've had promoted clubs who have achieved more than exceeded what was expected of them for a first season in that league.  Teams that have been in the Premier League in the not too distant past have fallen though the trap door.  At the start of season you can't outrightly predict who will be challenging for promotion and who will be fighting for survival.  The points gap throughout the table won't be huge, meaning that come the beginning of May, desintations of some clubs will need deciding on the final day.  (The exception to this statement obviously being Newcastle and West Brom last season).  This is what makes the Championship possibly the most attractive league competition in my opinion.  I know that there's far more media coverage in the Premier League and all the income from the Television rights.  You have to admit though that it is very predictable and that there's a huge divide between the clubs with the great big pile of money to spend and those who have to be careful.

Ask a Hull City fan which league they prefer.  I'm pretty confident that they will say the Championship.  The main reasons being that it is a far better competition, less media coverage and therefore more about the football than the money.  It's really more attractive on that basis surely?

I can hear the cries of my fellow Leeds fans declaring me nuts as I write this.  I know that as a club Leeds should be aiming for get promotion into the Premier League because of the facilities and the numbers of fans they can get through the gates.  To me, those are all secondary to having a team on the pitch that will be able to compete in that league and stay there.  I know there are financial benefits to getting promotion, even if you come straight down the following season.  Trouble is, the team won't benefit from that cash.  Only the business will.

On that basis I propose that Leeds only aim for survival this season.  Anything above that should be seen as a huge bonus and achievement (Judging by last nights performance, this would be realistic).  Obviously Leeds want to get back into Premier League, but this should be a long term aim.  A squad that would be able to compete should be built gradually.  The fans will almost certainly be impatient and want instant success.  You can't guarantee that though can you?  Especially in the Championship.  My hope is that the fans don't start calling for Simon Grayson to be sacked during the season if things get tough.  He should be given the time to build.  Somehow I doubt it very much though.

Oops, I appear to have veered off course again.  My final point is that I, like other football fans get far more pleasure from following the goings on in the Championship and lower leagues than the Holy Grail.  Why not give it a try yourself?  You'll be pleasantly surprised.  I guarantee it.

To Blog or not to Blog?

I've finally done it and started this blog.  As a reader of a handful of blogs I've read them covering many subjects.  Until recently I never had considered one because I didn't think I had enough material.  However, when I think about it, alot of the topics are actually just matters of everyday life which are important to the author.  I guess on that basis I should have plenty of stuff to blog about.  Whether people will be interested in my bobbins is another question.  I guess only time will tell on both these.

Is it worth noting that alot of the blogs that I read are written by journalists or ex-journalists?  I'm sure this is reflected in the quality of the writing and possibly why they are so appealing to me.  I'm not convinced I will be able to match that quality but if I get anywhere near it I will have achieved something.  The only way I will know this is by how many people stop by, read and post comments.  Just maybe some of these people might pop back to check my updates, you never know!

The layout is still a working progress while I find my feet with the tools.  For that, I apologise.  You are currently spared the photograph of me!

One of the bloggers that I follow mentioned to another blogger recently about the first rule of blogging.  Blog every day during the first year.  Not sure I'll be able to blog as often as that but I do want to blog as often as is possible.  Whilst we're on the subject of rules, are there any others?

You're probably thinking that this probably the worst blog entry that you've seen.  Even writing this now, I'm still wondering whether I should publish this post and if anybody will find my blog interesting.

Thanks for stopping by.  Now all I have to do wait for the comments and criticisms.  Don't be shy!  If anybody who happens to stumble across this can offer assistance, whether it be it will be very much appreciated.