two gigs last night...

OK, so I managed to obtain two tickets to see the Spice Girls at the MEN arena last night. I also got entry to the press conference beforehand...

Did I go?

No, I didn't!

But why?!

I had another gig lined up. Mine!!! I played at Jabez Clegg in Manchester last night, and was glad I did that rather than go to the Spice Girls.

Backing me on the bass was Rory Holland of headline band Destroy The Evidence.

The setlist ran as so...

Zihuatanejo, Ode To The Hudd, Autumn, The Artful Bastard, 一期一会, Olympia WA, シャロン, Donkeys, Losing Touch, Wave Of Mutilation. (first five are mine, second five are covers)

Loved it!

impending gig...

Yup, my next gig is on Wednesday, and I'm looking forward.

My nerves have been settled after a rehearsal yesterday.

Joining me on bass for the night is the multi-talented Rory Holland of Destroy The Evidence - he'll be helping out on all of my own songs and a couple of covers.

So far the set will comprise of ...

Autumn
Zihuatanejo
theARTFULbastard (first play live!)
ichi-go ichi-e (first play live!)
Ode To The Hudd

Olympia WA (Rancid)
Sharon (ROSSO) (sung in Japanese!)
Something by Manic Street Preachers,
and some more...

So come and have a listen! Jabez Clegg, Manchester, Weds 23rd Jan - 7pm
Also, my songs are available at www.myspace.com/jordanallenmusic

affleck's palace

You may or may not know, but Affleck's Palace in Manchester is in danger of closure.

As a centre for anyone who wants something a little different or alternative, it would be missed by a great number of people.

There are few other places in Manchester where there are a range of alternative, individual shops in one place, and the closure of Affleck's Palace will certainly go someway to making Manchester another 'clone', with high street chains everywhere.

So if you want to see this historical, culturally important place stay open, sign the petition - http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Afflecks

subterranean secrets

Have you ever thought how interesting it is that most cities have something to hide?

I'm talking about secret underground tunnels, trains, cities and bunkers. Things hidden from the public that are never confirmed as being fact or fiction.

It's something I find fascniating, so I'll share a little with you...

Firstly, Manchester (as that's where I am right now...). In the centre of Manchester is a 1954, Cold War telephone exchange with tunnels stretching out to Salford and Ardwick (named 'Guardian'). Now this one has been confirmed, but it's still interesting... Read more about that here

Next up - London. London's tube network is both fantastic and mysterious. It's littered with disused stations and tunnels that people don't know about. Next time you're on the Metropolitan Line between Baker Street and Finchley Road, keep an eye out for 3 disused stations. Also on the Picadilly Line between King's Cross and Caledonian Road, is another. They're everywhere! I had access to the disused Jubilee Line platform at Charing Cross some time ago... quite interesting. More is here

And it's not just the UK... Moscow supposedly has a secret government underground train line, below the existing network, and some people claim that there is even an underground city, with swimming pools, generators and food... see this article

Lastly, it is claimed that Tokyo has a wealth of tunnels and secret spaces under the city, kept under wraps by the government. One man has investigated - read Shun Akida's account here

Should governments make these places open to the public? Or is it part of our heritage to have such secrets, rumours and myths? Does it add to the appeal of a place?

back up north

That's right, I'm back in the north, albeit just for a weekend. And a busy one it is!

Yesterday I visited the barber (not paying Southern prices), the doctor, a friend in Manchester, a friend in Denby Dale and found time to give blood and sign myself up to donate Bone Marrow.

I'm glad I've done that, as there's so few people registered to give bone marrow, and it's such a crucial thing for saving someone's life. I am also an organ donor and a regular blood donor... so if there's anything else of me anyone wants, just let me know!

Today my mother returns from India where she has been volunteer-working with disabled children for the past month.　So I am back to welcome her home!

And Paul Tibbets, the pilot of Enola Gay and the man responsible for dropping the bomb on Hiroshima, has died this week aged 92. While this is sad news for some, I am certain it will be met with other reactions amongst certain Japanese people.

The bomb was responsible for the deaths of at least 140,000 Japanese people. That's from the Japan Times website.

そして、毎日日本語を勉強しています。　テストは十二月二日だ。