For far too many years than I care to remember, since 1981 actually, I have been a dedicated follower of Bradford City FC. I have followed them religiously through their downs and ups, and downs, and downs, ups, ups, downs, ups, downs, downs, downs and recent succession of even more downs. I have spent far too much time and money at Valley Parade over the years and, let's be honest, will do so well into my old age.
As well as following City, I love watching the national team play and look forward to England football matches. Regrettably, I have not yet attended a live match at full international level and have only seen the U-21's play live at Valley Parade.
I also follow,although not as ardently (I wouldn't have the energy or reserves of patience required to follow more than one team fanatically), the England cricket team. I, like much of the nation was overjoyed when we won The Ashes a few years back and hope we can repeat the feat this year. One of my great pleasures is listening to Test Match Special on the radio and I adore the commentary of Christopher Martin-Jenkins, Jonathan Agnew, Henry Blofeld and co. Another ambition is to see the national team play a Test match at Headingley.
Photography:
I enjoy taking photo's and tinkering with Photoshop. My favorite images to shoot are "quirky" angles of buildings and shapes; my wife laments the fact that I never photograph people especially family members. I sometimes take my camera to football with me and combine two of my loves.
My favourite city to photograph is New York. I adore the energy of the place and will happily wander around snapping away at yellow cabs and the steam rising from the subways.
My speciality is getting things out of focus; I seem to have made a special habit of that recently.
Travel:
As mentioned above, I love New York and am looking forward to being able to visit there again as soon as possible. My favourite holidays are "city breaks", as I find them to be very rich in cultural, architectural and historical interest.
I also enjoy the Lake District, especially in the autumn season, and am hoping to visit the Highlands of Scotland in the future.
Creative Writing:
I sometimes am able to find the time to scribble down some, hopefully, interesting and/or witty comments on my thoughts and musings.
A few years back, I wrote some articles for the Bradford City (we can't get away from them, can we?) fanzine, The City Gent. I also wrote short articles about Bradford City for ITV Teletext for the season 2000-2001 and a few pieces for the local newspaper.
I have also submitted short stories to a national competition run by the BBC.
I also keep making notes and jottings in my journal, which I have kept for a good few years now and which will never be published!
Music:
I enjoy listening to a hugely diverse range of music, from Anna Netrebko (Russian operatic soprano) to My Chemical Romance, from Bronski Beat to Andrew Lloyd Webber and the many variations and styles in between.
However, I really cannot see the point of the likes of Girls Aloud and other "manufactured", homogenised groups, over styled, sanitised "groups".
My favourites are artists and musicians who can actually play an instrument and sing (sometimes at the same time!) and who write songs with passion, conviction and meaning in the lyrics. Among my favourites are artists such as:
Billy Bragg, RHCP, Otis Gibbs, John Frusciante, Bruce Springsteen, Journey, Tom Waites, Tom Petty, Steve Perry, Stevie Wonder, Texas, The Proclaimers, The Foo Fighters, Hooty & The Blowfish, Counting Crows, U2, Take That, Paul Weller, Christina Aguilera, Charlotte Church, Rod Stewart, REM, Pink Floyd, The Beautiful South, Paul Heaton, Magnum, Morrissey, The Smiths, Led Zep, Malcolm Middleton, Leo Sayer, Kings Of Leon, Hendrix, Graham Coxon......and so many more.
I love having them all squirelled away on my iPod and being able to listen to them when evr I want, wherever I am.
Maggie:
I also love Maggie, our Miniature Schnauzer dog. She is lovely and cute, but barks at the postman.
TV:
I enjoy watching TV, as a means of relaxation, escapism and to learn new things.
My favourite shows are:
Steptoe & Son, Hancock, BlackAdder, Yes Minister, Dad's Army, The West Wing, Lipstick Jungle, Hustle, ER, The Mighty Boosh, BlackBooks, Have I Got News For You, News Night, News Night Review, Jools Holland and quite a few more....
Radio:
One of my favourite ways to relax, or to pass the time whilst working, is listening to the radio. Despite my love of music, I am not keen on music radio.I much prefer to listen to Radio 4 for its' incredible range of factual and news programmes and, also, for the quality dramas and comedy that it broadcasts. It also has The Archers and Woman's Hour - both of which I enjoy hugely.
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