Baked Potatoes

Ok, next time you want baked potatoes as a side dish then simply put a big slit through the potato, put a slice of onion in the middle of the onion then top with a dab of butter. Wrap it up in foil and bake. You will start crying it is that good.

Nadia, you are a genius.


Yep!

Just To Add To The Excitement

This is the plane we are doing our PPL in (private pilots license). It is called a Bulldog. The Swedish RAF used this to train their fighter pilots. Loops are of an abundance.

That is Guy in the cockpit doing his checks.

YEP!

Jag Mk V

This is the last of the 4 cars we have to restore. It will be interesting to tackle this after doing 3 E-types.

It is a 1950 Mk V 2.5ltr Jaguar.

YEP!

Then...

This 67' S1 Roadster arrived so I got my overalls on and attacked this one on my own. Guy was away in France on a break so I had to go solo. 

This will be the first of 4 to be re-assembled. Stay tuned!

YEP!

The Start Of Something Fun

On August 13, 2011 this was the first car to role into the workshop in The Old Stables.

By August 19, 2011 this is how it rolled out. 

We (Guy and I) have 3 more cars like this and a Tiger Moth aeroplane. 

Quite a venture but more importantly a bucket full of fun.

YEP!

Hmmmm, This sounds great but your heart might meet it's fate

Cook this as a side dish but be prepared, you will be knocked out. Bloody lovely!

Broccoli Cheddar Rice

3 cups Minute white rice
3 cups water
2 tbsp butter
1 cup minced frozen broccoli
2 cups mild cheddar, shredded
Pepper, your favourite spice, salt, garlic powder to taste

Add everything except cheese into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let the liquid absorb.

Add cheese (you may need to add some milk). Heat till cheese is melted.


YEP!

Alberton Weather

This cloud is a beauty. It had a funnel and an attitude to keep it company.
People are saying that it is not a good summer here in Edmonton this year and funnily enough I am believing them with no hesitation. Stiff shit for the bike rider in this picture.

YEP!

Attempting to float with a hole in the boat

Murky, muddy water. Looks inviting doesn't it. Well let me shit you not, the mission to get to this point nearly nursed me to my 80th birthday.
We arrived at the place in Entwistle where we bought a pass to hop on the shuttle (more like a shot to the head) to take us down to the river. There where we got dropped of we floated down the Pembina River for 1 1/2 hours where the shuttle (shot to the head) picked us up again and brought us back to the car. The wait to buy the ticket for the shuttle took 2 bloody hours. So once again, the shuttle ticket took 2 hours to buy and the river took 1 1/2 hours to float down. 2 hours to buy a 1 1/2 hours to float down. 2 hours vs 1 1/2 hours.............. sorry, just doing the maths here.
WELL BANG ME STUPID, either I am a spoilt prick or there is something seriously wrong here with the business that provides this service.
If you have the luxury of driving to the river and have another car waiting for you at the other end then I assure you that you will have a tremendous day. If you are forced to catch this shuttle (shot to the head) to the river then put on a brave face and just keep looking forward because once you get on the water it will nearly be worth it.


YEP!

Chicken and Broccoli Cream Pasta

Whip this one up only with a big fat lounge to retreat to afterwards. It is so satisfying that you end up exhausted from overworked taste buds. 

The Italians thought they had pasta worked out but I think I have just wiped the table clean. 

Sorry Brendan, you now take second place!

1 500g packet of bow tie pasta

2 tablespoons veg oil

4 chicken breasts cut into cubes

2 cups cream 35%

1/4 cube chicken stock crumbled

3/4 cup Asiago cheese grated

1/2 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup prosciutto chopped

1 tablespoon garlic chopped

1 cup broccoli finely chopped

1/2 tablesppon parsley flakes

Cook the pasta al dente and set aside.

Heat veg oil in a frypan and cook the chicken until no longer pink inside.

In a medium saucepan heat the cream to a simmer stirring often. Then whisk in chicken stock and cheese until well blended and melted. Dissolve the cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water and then add to the cream mixture. Cook and stir for another 2 minutes then set aside.

Melt butter in a medium frypan on medium heat. Stir in prosciutto, garlic and broccoli until broccoli is tender. Add chicken, reduce heat until chicken is heated through.

Return cream sauce to the heat, add the parsley flakes and stir until heated through.

Place the pasta in a large mixing bowl then stir through the chicken and broccoli mixture then add the cream sauce, mixing well.

YEP!

Song Of The Day

A must!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7ifSxp9xU

Yep!

Chuck Wagons Are Bloody Nuts

This has to be the most craziest form of racing ever. If you put some big-nutted man like Mike Tyson behind the reins of one of these wagons they would run home squealing for their mother.
My hat goes off to you pilots of these ball-tearing, primitive machines.

Yep!

Calgary Stampede

So here we have the carriage that transported Prince William and the new chick Kate the day before. I am so sorry your English royalty but my eyes would have still been on the horses. Oh how beautiful they are!

Yep!

Album Of The Day

Just when you feel like you are starting to relax this afternoon you must put on an album called 'Wrecking Ball' by Emmylou Harris.
Hit play then lay down, close your eyes and think of someone. Believe me, you will be closer to them after listening to this even though they might be on the other side of the world.


Yep!

Song Of The Day

I woke up this morning craving some Midnight Oil. A strange situation I must say as I have never been drawn to them in my entire life. In my sleep last night I stumbled on a conclusion that they are masters at writing hooks.
'Beds Are Burning' is a cracker of a song. If there is anything you forget to do today then please don't let it be putting this song on and turning up the bass and treble on your stereo.


Yep!

Have I Mentioned That...

I LIKE TO BUILD THINGS! Well here is something that was whipped up over the last two days with Spencer. This replaced a rotten old, well what used to be called a deck.
This deck comes with a date for a bbq. And with that bbq comes a hoe-down. And with that hoe-down comes drunken arses falling over everywhere. And with the fallen drunken arses comes litres of spilt alcohol. And with that spilt alcohol 20 years go by. And now 20 years have gone by the deck is rotten again. AAHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh shit, not again!!!


Yep

Cranky Clouds

Check out this cloud. In the distance a funnel is forming and planning to create a carnage. Thankfully it kept moving on its merry way east and never to be seen by me again. Deep down I want to be a storm chaser.

Yep!

 

The Joke Of The Day

Why was the squirrel swimming on his back?
To keep his nuts dry.


Yep!

Tuna Terrific

You want to be the King or Queen of the kitchen? Well follow this and you will get what ever you want from who ever you feed. Remember, be selective about who invite for dinner as you just might be able to get what ever the hell you want.

375g short egg noodles
1 cup of thawed peas
1/4 onion chopped
1 cup chopped mushrooms
2 cups of cheddar cheese shredded
2 x 285g condensed cream of mushroom soup
340g tuna
1/4 cup bread crumbs

Pre-heat oven at 220 degrees C (425 degrees F)
Cook the noodles in salted water until al dente then drain.
In a large bowl mix the noodles, onion, peas, mushrooms, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, condensed soup and tuna. Then put the mixed ingredients into a 13x13 baking dish and cover with bread crumbs and the remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes while you think of your requests for the fortunately invited.

Yep!

Crazy Cat

This cat has made a few appearances now but this one takes the cake.
This little shit owns the house and in this instance he owns the crowd too.

Yep!

Jurrasic Gymnastics

Who said that dinosaurs were extinct? Well they are WRONG!
I was taken to a secret place last week by a secret person who showed me a secret secret. This was witnessed by my own eyes (and camera). They moved, roared and ate as though they never left the building.
I also sensed a large amount of sadness around me. I think it was because these beautiful creatures knew that there were big pumps nearby resurrecting their relatives in the form of oil, then getting shoved into vehicles and burnt like it was a massive crematorium (us humans really know how to express our sensitive side ey'!).
Anyway, once I took a few snap shots of these enormous creatures this big mumma (here in the picture) saw me so I ran out of there squealing like a 7 year old princess with a scratched fingernail.
Just kidding, I don't squeal. I like to think of myself as a man!
If there are any feminine men out there who want their balls to drop get in touch and I will take you out to this testosterone correction centre. Once you face these puppies you will get hair growing in places you never thought existed.

Yep!

Passion

I like to build things, and on top of that I like to re-build things.

Yep!

Dark Rum Has Entered The Building

Please just try this on the rocks next time you are after a drink to sooth the soul. This is pure and utter class with a touch of "don't f#@k with me" attitude splashed in there.
Onya Tom and Joe, thanks for the introduction.

Yep!

A World Series Carrot

So lets use these white sunglasses as a reference to the size of this ground shattering carrot. I have found that in the world of vegetables the bigger they grow the less flavour they have. Well listen to me people, this carrot was 5 times the size of any normal carrot and had 5 times the flavour. I'd also like to add that it gave me 5 times the eyesight and I can now boast about the fact that I have 100/20 vision (does that even make sense?).
His name is King Karrot. Don't mess with him!

Yep

A Tip For The Two Wheeled Bandits

Before you set out on a sunny evening riding your bike and drinking sweet girly drinks I stress that it is very important to assess your vessel. Walk around it and inspect the condition of the tires, the chain, the brakes and............ your ability. Please, for the love of God check which brake handle is the rear brake. If you don't and the front brake is applied well then......................... Buddha's long lost cousin will appear sitting next to an upside-down bicycle (as you can perfectly well see).
Rear brake peoples, REAR BRAKE! (I include myself in receiving such advise)

Yep

Hope

With a little amount of luck you just may see another one of these in the sky. Any successful suggestions for the colour scheme will be credited so send them on through.
Yep

Grilled Chicken & Cheddar Sandwich

If at any point in our existence there is only 5 minutes to live then I seriously suggest catching a rocket to High Level Diner on Whyte Ave, Edmonton to get one of these sandwiches.
I have not had anything like it, I am weak at the knees just thinking about it, my stomach is crying out for more, I have found heaven..... seriously!
Yep!

The Mule Deer

Check out the feminine beauty of this doe. If i was a buck i would be chasing her for sure. Those eyelashes are something else!
Yep

Poser!

This bloody cat has way too much going on in his sleep.
Let me think, is he dreaming of being in the circus..... no!
Is he dreaming of trying to pick up another feral mungrel with his charm..... no!
Is he is dreaming of being at a Lady Gaga concert..... that's it!

Yep!

This monster of an engine is half of the reason the U.K is "apparently" a free country (I didn't use "apparently" at the beginning so shhhhhhh!).
This baby, a 1940 Rolls-Royce Merlin III, would make any bright red Ferrari look like a Matchbox fire engine so respect is all anyone should pay to this wonderful piece of engineering.
Apart from all of that, the sound this thing makes would make you dripping wet.
Yep!

Thinking vs Knowing

Thinking
Having a thought is good and coupled with good intentions in my mind is the best way of "thinking" but thankfully i have learnt to use my thoughts wisely. It is easy, i will teach you, ready? Use your thoughts as inspiration to act on or create a fact or event.
The word "apparently" should never exist at the beginning of any sentence you wish to share.
Remember any of those billions of times you have spoken to someone and in the back of your mind you are thinking, "bloody hell mate, you are an opinionated know it all"! Well these people (who have nine times out of ten never left their own backyard) think way too much and usually have small assets resulting in them believing that their thoughts and opinions are facts. This is not a good place to be and in most cases very embarrassing both before and after people work out that what they are saying is complete bullshit. "Before" because the person saying it deep down "knows" it is bullshit and "after" because everyone else hearing it "knows" it is bullshit as well.


Knowing
Well this is an easy one. Knowing eliminates things like sweats, anxiety, loser-ness and just plain old embarrassment.
For example, knowing and speaking of the fact that the Gulf of Guinea is in Africa might sound a little suss to start with but because people know that your words come from a good source then they let their ears invest in the babble that comes out,
BUT.....
if you generously share your opinion that the Gulf of Guinea is in Papua New Guinea then your generosity is happily deflected and "thoughts" are shot your way that you "are" an idiot and that you should shut your bloody mouth, walk away and stick your head in a bucket of ice.

Yep!

Vomit On The Airwaves

It says something when a song comes on the radio and i instantly think about saving electricity and want to turn it off.
What possesses these band's and producer's brains to think that these dull, unimaginative and just downright boring songs are good for the soul?
Not only that, can radio stations please grow some balls and play what their hearts tell them, not what the suits sell them!
Yep!

The Best Mexican Bulldog Yet

The Schnauzer
1 Bottle of Molson Canadian
1 oz. Stoli Blueberi Vodka
1/2 oz. Blueberry Liqueur
1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
Margarita Slush


You will not be disappointed by this one. Whack a couple of these into you and your smile will light up midnight. 
Yep!

Middle Aged Bachelors

Hmmmmmmm, well this was an eye-opener i must say. We went for a ride 2 days ago and stopped in at an interesting pub in Stony Plain for some food. Out the front sits a Harley with 2 trailers which consisted of 3 kegs and 3 American Bulldogs. The owner of this royal looking outfit was the only person in the pub, and had quite a few lonely ones under his belt. He was extremely chatty and in search of some friends to share the stories of his lovely travelling hillbilly K-9's.
Before too long the police turned up to talk with him over the fence, questioning him about the legalities of his testosterone fuelled army. Those umbrellas kinda make it feminine don't you think?
Anyway after a cunning attempt to hide his beer as well as a collection of funny bullshit sentences the police drove away convinced he was a-ok. (???????????)
"Mate, you are one lost puppy dog but good luck to ya"!
Yep!

Cats Can Smell In Their Sleep

Manolo farts in his sleep. This picture is all the proof I need.
Yep!

A Wooden Chest or A Gardener's Nest

I like to make things.
Yesterday i took a few hours out to make this for a certain flower loving lady. Sexy ey'!!!
Place your orders here:___________________________________.
Yep!

Dream

One day!

Memories to Live For

Here I am back at San Fran airport on my return flight to Edmonton.
I am looking through my iTunes library only to stumble upon a song which has put a big fat smile on my face. It has resurfaced some very fond, happy and powerful memories. I am now 45 seconds into it and I am feeling like I am reliving those years back home. Smell, if you were here listening to this with me I think we would just piss ourselves laughing. Damn I miss that time.
Yep!

Match vs Traditional

If you remember I was going to change my sticking technique. I gave it a right old go and got it flying but I just don't feel as comfortable with the traditional as I do with match grip.
Yep!

110mph

If you ever wondered what 110mph looks like then look no further. Trees become kinda see-through.
I think this may be the missing clue for making something invisible, or am I a bit slow in the old scientific world? Maybe the jokes about drummers are true after all.
Yep!

Bumble High 5

This Bumble Bee really was holding it's leg up at me. When i brought my hand closer to it it raised it's leg higher. The reality of it was it was probably ill and all it could do to defend itself was show some fist but i like to think of it as a genuine High 5.
Yep!

The First Step

Here is my guitarist taking his first step towards becoming a farmer. Although it may look like a simple thing to do there is certainly a delicate touch needed for a correctly mowed paddock. This fine specimen of a bloke definitely has that. Onya Role!
Yep!

Drumming for Gold

A week or so has gone by since my last entry so I have a little ground to cover.
I have been out in the beautiful English countryside at a friend's place both rehearsing with my band during the week and recording with Guy Berryman on the weekends.
So during the week it has been at least 8 hours/day rehearsing all of the new album plus some older stuff as well. On top of all that work it has been a time of great food and hanging with my oldest friends. The only thing missing is my girlfriend.
Then Guy, Alison, Ian, Catherine, Nico and beth arrive on the Fridays and leave on Monday. Guy treated us yesterday with a massage, what a gentleman!
Yep!

Gloucestershire In Spring

If you are still up in the air about where the most beautiful place is in the world then i can give you a helping hand with your conclusion.
Gloucestershire, England in Spring.
I have spent the last 3 days here with some friends and now the next 2 weeks are here with my band. This is a time of my life which will be dearly remembered.
My confidence in England's beauty has been generously restored. Thanks Guy!
Yep!

West Coast Sunset

California at 8pm on 13/4/11

OK, i have an answer!

If you are someone who struggles with owning a personality then there is something you can do. Go and buy some Jagermeister, that'll fix you up.
Yep!

And...

Touchdown!

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

San Fran airport is boring today. There is nobody here. It feels like 'The Langoliers'.

Catching the Bird

At Edmonton airport waiting for my flight to London. I am getting very uncomfortable seeing the amount of small children in the waiting area. If i end up sitting next to one i will be most upset, pissed off even!
Yep!

A Positive Morning

The sun is blasting down here in Edmonton. After a morning of omelettes, coffee and shooting the shit about possible future business plans with a friend everything seems fine and dandy. But then i think of leaving my girl for 3 1/2 weeks for the U.K then i lose a little spark (well a lot actually).

Sunny Day

A pile of snow shovelled and a bit of carpentry work is a good enough reason to get out and enjoy the sun today.
I have just one thing to say though. Who ever hung the gate previously on the back fence should be sacked, and never to be allowed to work as a carpenter/builder again. Do it properly or piss off!

The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver

One of the most beautiful songs i have heard since being alive is 'The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver' by Elbow. At 3:44 everything in your world will be perfect.
Yep!

Match vs Traditional

While my drumming career has existed using match grip with sticks and traditional grip with brushes i am ready to take the plunge and commit to using traditional grip for them both.
I am about 80% comfortable with it already as i have dabbled a lot with it over the years but the last 20% is going to be the hardest. I am very exited to have it as my primary hand technique but i know there is going to be quite a lot of blood shed getting there.
Hopefully i will have it mastered by May 3, our first gig back since recording the new album.
YEP!

Howling Bells Live in London

Something Chicken II

Ok, just a touch up to the last recipe.

4 chicken breasts
285ml cream of mushroom
1 onion soup mix 
1 1/2 cups of water
broccoli
1 1/2 cups of long grain rice


Preheat oven at 375 degrees.
Grease the backing tray with butter then cover the bottom of the tray with the rice. Place the chicken breasts on the rice then the broccoli on top of the chicken. Spread the cream of mushroom over the chicken and broccoli. Lastly mix the onion soup mix and the water together then pour it over everything.
Bake for 1 hour or until chicken is cooked.
EASY!

Chicken Something

This is what i am making right now. I am throwing all of the following in an oven tray and hoping for the best.

4 chicken breasts
285ml cream of mushroom
1 cup of onion soup mix
broccoli
1 1/2 cups of long grain rice

Wish me luck!

Frozen Heat

The hot sun is belting down on 4 feet of snow.
I am confused. Seeing the snow outside makes me want to put on a jacket but instead i have no shirt on.

If you are feeling blue from the flu

Then make this:

2 carrots sliced 2 celery stalks sliced 2 potatoes diced 1 green pepper chopped 1/2 red onion finely chopped 2 cups of can diced tomatoes (Italian) 2 cups of chicken broth or vegetable broth salt and pepper  2 tablespoons of vegetable oil 1 cup water 1/2 teaspoon of thyme Heat oil on low for 2 minutes. Cook chopped vegetables on medium for 8 min. Add warmed stock & water. Add salt and pepper. Bring to boil for 1 min. Let simmer for 10 min. Add diced tomatoes and thyme. Mix well and simmer for 10 min. DONE!

Spaghetti Bolognese

I created the best recipe in the world.

From singular to plural, all it takes is some bargaining.

Off i went to find a suit. I never have a reason to wear one apart from the occasional wedding here and there. Over the next few weeks there are a few times one is called for.
After hitting the bullshit shops that were a 'name' in the world of suits i changed my angle and explored thrift stores with no luck.
As we were driving home we saw a store that was having a grand opening sale. Though i am not attracted to this particular store back home i was very curious to see what the North American version was all about.
Well what do you know, there was a whole wall of the same suits that were in the 'name' stores but they were half the price.
After trying a few jackets on i wasn't convinced at all. The 'classic fit' just isn't my thing and the slim fit was still too expensive. Then Nadia suddenly darts off as though she was making a kill, straight to the children's section. She pulled the biggest suit off the boys rack and said "this will fit you" (apparently Canadian men are much bigger than me). At this point my pride took a little kick to the guts but then we both looked at the price, $99 each and $1 for the second. I was then proud to be small.
So off i go to try on these 'kids' suits. They were perfect, well nearly anyway. The pants just a touch baggy but something i might have been able to live with considering they were so cheap.
There was another couple in the change room and the bloke was doing exactly what i was doing, searching for a suit that wasn't $2,000. His girlfriend said that the slim fit suits were buy a suit and get the second suit for $1 as well. I didn't quite believe her as the signs said otherwise but she swore that that was the case. I dropped everything there and then and trekked across the store to the apparent 'bargain rack'. My hopes by this point were flying high and it only took us one minute to find the two suits that fit me like a glove.
The one and only store assistant was nearby so i went and asked her if this deal was true. She said no it wasn't and that they were not a part of the sale. I looked her in the eye and started my bargaining. Within thirty seconds i had two suits for the price of one and a free vest.
Paying for them was an ordeal. The guy who was manning the checkout had no bags, no english and absolutely no idea. I had to whip up my own suit bag with what he had behind the counter and then he forgot to take off the security tags.
We were pissing ourselves laughing by this point. It was the most bizarre shopping experience of the century. Maybe i am crap at explaining with white words but it really was an annoying, funny, gob smacking, hilarious yet triumphant experience.
All you need to do now is see the suits on. Hmmmm, maybe another time!

Stretchy Jeans

This is my latest discovery and I expect nothing less from jeans from now on. The comfort level is ten fold of my old ones and they make my previous jeans feel like metal body armour.
Do yourself a favour and make the switch.

A Bad Morning

Last night drunk = this morning feeling like shit.
I am an idiot to inflict such an ill feeling upon myself. I am to not drink in this manner again for the next 6 months. If i do then you all have the right to believe that i am weak.

YEP!

It is 5:12pm (MDT) and i am kicking back nursing a sore body from tackling the infamous mountains of Jasper. Although the snow was never a part of my past, skiing has now become a dear friend of mine.

There are 42 days to go until our (Howling Bells) show in London at Scala. May 9 is going to be a great party what ever the weather. PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY!