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.