Pillow talk show no.3 from podcastpaul.com

Download the Mp3 direct from here

Pillowtalk no 3 is here - unfortunately it ends very abruptly due to the ipod suddenly losing battery power - fear not, we're still here!

email to podcastpaul@gmail.com

Music isn't restricted by age.

Yesterday evening Sue and I went to a George Michael tribute. It was actually really good. The ratio of women to men was about 25:1.

I couldn't get over how many folks knew every word to every song (er... me included). When you think that some of the material was 25 years old, it's incredible to think how quick time has flown by.

The amount of 40 something females shaking their thing on the dance floor, reminded me of school disco times. It was a great evening, and the bloke who sang, though vaguely looking like Mr. M and struggling with the top notes, was good value.

Attending the 'gig' last night and still recovering from the high of playing in the band at my 40th ,which was received so well, gives me even more encouragement to want to do the podcast. The fact of the matter is this: I think people my age and into their fifties love music. I always thought at the time, years ago, that music was the province of teens and twenties and less important the older you get. How wrong was I?

I was helping a few blokes clear up at a womens breakfast last week (don't ask!) and chatting to Bob, a mate of mine in his mid - late fifties. Bob was beside himself with excitement at the revival of interest in Led Zepellin. Bob talked about John Bonham, Robert Plant and a whole catalogue of albums,almost misty eyed. It was a real treat to see someone who obviously enjoyed music and that passion and knowledge of an artist really shone through.

Listen to Lynn Parsons ' Red Light Zone ' and you'll get the idea. Lynn is a former BBC presenter and one of the best podcast shows about, in my opinion.

Are you as passionate about music as the folks I've mentioned here?

Pictures from my 40th

Sue and I with Adrian and Fizz Pegg














Sue and I with Paul and Jan Parkinson














Carla - the singer with the awesome voice and Steve the Bass in the background














Although terribly unflattering, I like this action shot - Shaun in the background
















The fabulous lads (and lass) in the band - you did me proud, thanks so much! You can see Adam (one of my best mates) on the keys - Adam features on the podcast. Another old mate; Paul Obrey, Mr Guitar / Mr Birmingham Disaster complete with rolled up sleeves in the background.














The dance floor - and some of our mates.















One of my oldest and dearest mates; Martin Hunt. We've been mates since school aged 4! Thanks for all your hard work on the night and friendship that I really value old mate. Here's to (at least) the next 40 years..

New Gadgets in my ipod inventory

This is the Belkin iTrip - an essential if you have a long commute each day.

The beauty of this little darling is the fact that, unlike the old itrip, it's easy to tune 'on board'.

If you're looking at travelling more than, say 20 - 30 miles at a time, you can bet that the FM radio station you need to find on your car stereo that is noting but hiss will have some element of bleed from a nearby station or wander into a local radio, or even pirate frequency.

The ability to immediately tune to the next free station is dead easy to do and the whole thing is completely simple to use.

I do find a certain amount of sibilance (is that the correct spelling?) on quieter podcasts and some tracks, but this is a great, low cost option. I paid £20 at a local Curry's store and I'm well impressed with the unit - great value and dead easy to use.

The Tune Talk Stereo is...just awesome. At £30 the quality of the recording is just something else.

Recording in Stereo or mono WAV are your options.

I found that the stereo mic on the unit was so sensitive it picked up rumbles from the ipod that were a little intrusive. I use a £25 lavlier mic on the input and I have to say that the quality is near BBC audio.

I am SO impressed with this piece of equipment, it's easily replaced the £300 Edirol that I lost (how on earth did I do that?!) a few months ago.

If you've an Ipod classic or videoipod and want to start experimenting with recording, buy this. If you're an experienced podcaster - buy it, you won't be disappointed.

The only downside with the TuneTalk is that it doesn't work with the ipod Touch. Why?!

podcastpaul pillow talk no.2

Download Podcastpaul - pillowtalk 2 direct from here

It's here folks! Yes, another show recorded from the bed of yours truly with Sue.

We talk about daleks, John Barrowman, weight loss and more while Tilly the dog snores in the background.

2008 & stuff.

I hope it's panning out well for you all.

I'm absolutely determined to make it a really good year, whatever happens.

The one thing I'm trying to do is to prioritize my time. That doesn't mean rationing my time, it simply means getting rid of the 'stuff'. Stuff means time not spent relaxing, or, more importantly spending time at home with my family.

I'm going to keep an eye on this 'stuff' as it's quite insidious and claws away at the most precious commodity of all - time.

Rob Parsons, a charismatic author and director of 'Care for the Family' once said, walk around a graveyard. You won't find any tombstone in the place with the inscription "I wish I'd spent more time at the office"

Well, Rob, I'm with you mate.....

By the way - I'm quite into the quick posts that you can find over at www.twitter.com - find me there as paulnicholls and hit the 'follow' button.

See you there!

Podcastpaul Pillow talk no.1

Download podcastpaul - pillowtalk MP3 direct from here.

No, it's not a new show, I just thought I'd try out a slightly new format - no music, just 5 or 10 minutes of chat using the italk I've just purchased myself - all recorded directly onto an ipod - clever little things they are!

My thanks to Brian Greene from Eire for thinking of the name of the show - after all I did record it in bed!

A very Happy New Year everyone

I really mean that, an extremely good New Year to you all.

I'm not sure how 2007 fared for you. I do think it's a case of being determined to make the most of 2008 come what may. Personally I think this year may bring forth some real challenges. Life doesn't play a very fair hand sometimes, but it's how you make do with what you have that makes you a more rounded person.

I'm going to try and slow down as much as I can and think more before responding. Two big challenges. My kids are growing up quickly and I don't want to miss a moment with them. Again a big challenge,

I may try and spend less time on the pc too. I have so many DIY jobs ad maintenace on the house. Studies finish in Jume andnthe second half of my year will hopefully slow right down. February and June are busy exam peeiods. I bet they will be over in a flash too.

Looking back, I see I've been blogging and podcasting for over 3 years now. What started as something I thought would be fleeting has turned out to be part of my life. Often times I've wondered who I do this for. Honestly? Probably me. I often look back on posts or shows, and can see a journey of sorts.

Let's try and make 2008 great, no matter what.

Thanks to everyone who, for whatever reason reads the blogs, listens in or comments. A great New Year to us all.