The British Public definitely cannot spot talent.

I watched the finals of Britain's got talent. I'm frankly staggered at the result.

We had four absolutely incredibly top musicians playing some of the best performed classical music I've ever heard in a wonderfully contemporary style, a superb 12 year old with a voice to die for - and the winner was...... a pretty good kid dancer with a sob story? What a pile of festering poo. What an anti-climax.

I'm either incredibly thick or very perceptive and rightfully cynical. The British public either voted for the 'nice poor young lad with the smiley face' or something was really wrong with the voting system.

Whenever I source music, I look incredibly closely at the integrity of the music and the production values. I'm not dictated to in any way by what I think will be popular. I like a fraction of popular music. I think most of it is mass produced carp with all the fishy values attached.

Sorry. Is it me?

Is it?

I need to pinch myself.

Dolphins

I've created a movie of the boat trip that Sue, harry, Jack, myself and our extended family took in Polperro just last week.

We bumped into some dolphins - they were beautiful animals that certainly weren't shy.

Have a look at this - I love it! The link is right here

Back from holiday

I'm back from a week away in Cornwall - a great week away with some shocking weather and a real mishap - the wheel came off the caravan on the way down! Luckily there seems to be relatively little damage.

We had one day of great weather and took a boat trip that turned out to be something really special. half a dozen dolphins wowed us for a good 10 - 15 minutes in a rare showing. They seemed as intrugued with the boat as we were with them, coming within a foot or so of us. I've some amazing video of them and when I get chance I'll put up some on site.

Cornwall is just an amazing place, good or bad weather, it's a peaceful place I've loved all my life. I hope to get back to there really soon.

Brand New Podcast show - Ask Harry

Download the MP3 of the show here directly

This is absolutely brilliant!

I asked folks on Twitter to give me some questions to put to my 7 year old; Harry. The results are... well, have a listen

One of my best mates...

..is my little boy; Harry, aged 7.

I love all of my children, right up to my eldest lad; Michael who's 19.

If kids could stay around aged 7, it would be bliss. They're wide eyed, innocent, loving, lovely and really, really funny. I'm seriously thinking about doing a podcast show with him. Some of the things he says just makes me wet myself laughing.

pillowtalk7

Download the mp3 direct from here

Pillowtalk 7 podcast - Sue and I talk about all manner of nonsense all wrapped up in a 5 minute audio show. Produced on Garageband using the internal mac mic. 

Perfect to drink your tea to...

podcast172 back from burglary

Download the MP3 of podast 172 direct at this link here

Back from burglary...


podcast 172 is now uploadedfor your listening pleasure - corking music and great chat from your host; paul nicholls.

I talk about the break ins, Buma, Iron Man, The Eye, Johnnie Walker, the weird shadow and loads more. Just have a listen eh?!

alll music from the podsafe music network save for Hollow Horse. Thanks Ken!

Great sax

Here's a quick shot of my mate;Steve warming up on the sax.

Steve is a great sax player and fantastic to play along with.

nuts and sax.

I took this photo at the cinema sweet shop this evening.

Mental... milk chocolate Brazil nuts bearing the warning "products may contain nut traces". Really?

videoblog #1

Ok, I give in! Here's my first video blog in mp4 format - perfect for mp4 players and iPods.

The link is right here

I'm going to try to use the video a bit more. It's much easier oddly than audio... the audio show is not going away - fear not - 'twil be back!

A walk in south Birmingham

I'm just back from taking the dog for a walk.

People who aren't familiar with Birmingham are usually surprised by the amount of green that's about the place. Living in South Birmingham, we're on the edge of the Hereford and Worcester borders, so there's some fantastic outdoor space right on our doorstep.

I'm taking the camera with me mostly wherever I am. As rubbish as I am at photography there is usually a snap or two that turns out reasonably good. Have a look at these from our walk up the "Lickey Hills"

What?

My faith in society ever weakens.

We were burgled again last night. This is getting behind a joke. Is this the fifth or sixth time now?

Fortunately, or not as you look at it,because I'm now incredibly paranoid and not sleeping at all, I think I caught the scum in the act and they legged it, either that or they'd gone empty handed. They had gone through Sue's car like the vile filthy parasites that they are, turning everything over in the hope they could find something. I think they were after the sat nav for the third (or fourth, I've lost count now) time.

I'm confident that the diseased vermin will get what's coming to them. What comes around goes around.

I'm not letting the scum upset me, I'm past that. To show any emotion towards them means they've won. I'm completely indifferent to them. Indifference conveys the utter contempt and hatred they deserve.

I really do believe that it's the same people. To scrape to the gutter level of going through anothers belongings is just as base as you can go. You cannot have any social skill to take from another, particularly not even having the decency to leave them be after dumping on them previously.

I would say I almost feel sorry for them, but I can't be bothered to feel anything towards something so inhuman.

creature of comfort seeking change

I don't feel like typing much, which in itself is a sad thing - I love keeping this blog and expressing my thoughts

I just feel like I need a new challenge, I feel quite unsettled and I'm pretty sure I have the burglary to thank for that.

Hopefully things will just settle back into a routine and I don't feel so distracted and bothered.

I want to say more but just feel exhausted. Sorry, that all felt a bit pointless.

The wind from the sails has gone...

Well, it has temporarily.

Sue and I were burgled for the fourth or fifth time (I've lost count) last Tuesday morning while we slept.

The heartless individual(s) who did this took Harry and Jack's computer consoles and games apart from the camcorder, laptop, camera, sat nav and goodness knows what else.

The scum that did this turned the place over going through drawers, files and papers.

My podcasting software and mp3's have all gone including the draft of the novel that I had spent hours and hours writing. No, you guessed correctly, I didn't back the files up.

How can people be so hateful?

I am trying to muster up the energy to record again, but without a laptop or the software it all just seems too much trouble.

I'm sure I'll get the sails up again, at the moment I just can't seem to gather any energy I'm afraid.

Tribute

I attended the funeral today of an old friend who took her own life because of the physical pain that she was in. I have no idea what drives a person to take their own life, and cannot begin to imagine the dreadful, dark place that she must have been driven to. Her family were devastated. One member said he felt cheated that she had been snatched from him.

I stood in the crematorium, bewildered by how my friend had touched so many lives. There were at least 300 people crammed into the circular chapel, there were nearly 200 standing, packing the place out. Cars were parked everywhere, in every conceivable space and beyond.

A few weeks ago I attended the funeral of my best mate's dad. I'd known Adam's dad; Walter for nearly thirty years, a gentle, lovely soul, and a real enigma. Walter was one of the brightest men I ever knew. He would complete the Telegraph crossword in less than 10 minutes and have a wonderful turn of phrase and an entirely dry sense of humour. Walter was 78 when he died, but was still a very good mate. I loved the times I would just sit with him and hear him reminisce. He was a great talker, and a gentle listener too. One of the old school who dearly loved his family.

Listening to the last tributes of a life is an inspiring and insightful thing. All the problems you think you have are suddenly put in perspective.

We live life, dangling by a precious and delicate thread that can so easily be broken. I realise, as time goes by how much I love my family. I would do anything to protect them. I relish the times that Harry, my 7 year old cuddles up to me and know, instinctively I would do anything to keep him from harm.

I don't want to sound morose, far from it. I want to capitalise on the time I have here and not waste it. So many people ask why I do so much. I just don't want to miss out on things, but then again I don't want to do all the wrong things.

I want people to attend my funeral when that fateful day comes, and have my mates hear that I lived life to the full and left some sort of legacy. I want my kids to be proud of me and remember me for the right reasons.

Life is definitely for the living.

Some things my dad, a minister, taught me as a child mean so much to me now:

1. Keep a short account with God. You may not be particularly religious, or have any faith at all. I do, and I'm proud of it. I'd like that beautiful scripture to be something I would yearn for "Well done, my good and faithful servant"

2. Live for today, plan for tomorrow.

I need to keep reminding myself that we're here for just a season, and that as bad as things get, there are some wonderful experiences to be had. Things should never be taken for granted and I would hate to sit in a bath chair at the end of my life full of regrets and unfulfilled wishes. I'm determined I won't.

An author's lot...

.... is actually quite a happy one. I'm certainly not professing to be an author in the real sense of the word, but the fact I am writing a novel at least gives me the opportunity to have a dalliance with the title.

I've wanted to write a semi-autobiographical novel (is there even such a thing?!) for around five years now. It has, so far, been a real joy to do, but it's time consuming and time isn't something I have a great deal of at the moment.

I'm around 8,000 words into about 100,000 words and the third chapter. I love getting lost in the writing and find it therapeutic to see words form into a sentence, and eventually a complete chapter.

I'm learning lessons endlessly. I've created a dramatis personae (list of characters) that grows endlessly. I'm really going to have to keep a file, or, better still lists pinned to a wall of character traits and plots.

The comments I've had are all positive but range widely from "too much detail and too little dialogue" to "a great balance" to "More detail and commentary please, I love the insight you bring"

I'm really pleased with chapter 2, so pleased in fact, I feel like entirely re-writing chapter 1. You can find the novel at both http://podcastpaul.com and Http://lawnovel.blogspot.com Please feel free to subscribe.

A chapter will be published every fortnight and I would welcome your feedback, either on the blog or at podcastpaul (dot) gmail (dot) com

Thanks for listening!

Chapter 2 - A law unto myself

Download the MP3 here

Nick Poulson receives instructions on a case he isn't himself sure of...

All rights reserved

pillowtalk6

Download the MP3 file here

oops... something went a bit weird with last post!

Here it is again - pillowtalk6 for your litening pleasure!

podcastpaul.com Pillowtalk 6

Download MP3 here.

Paul and Sue wax lyrical in pillowtalk6.

Coughs, rustles and knocking into the recording equipment provided by Sue. Discussion and gravitas provided by Paul.

Please send your email:

podcastpaul@gmail.com

Social Media Takeover?

Yesterday morning, Sue and I lay in bed, she was using the laptop chatting to her friends in an online forum and I was using the iPod touch to chat to mine on Twitter.

Christian (16) Jack (13) Mike (19) and even Harry (7) have social networks where they catch up with their friends. Harry uses 'Club Penguin' to feed his 'puffles' and the other three seem to chat endlessly to their mates about music, girls, and whatever takes their fancy.

Just sitting, taking a moment, isn't this all a bit sterile? My family do of course talk to each other, but I'm beginning to worry about the time we're all cumulatively spending on line. It's nice to catch up, but it is, really, a mammoth waste of time. I don't need to blog, I don't need to talk about the things I do online necessarily.

Isn't talking to each other enough? When I talk here, I of course talk generically, I include you, after all. you're reading this.

I've a million and one things to do and they need doing now. So why am I telling you this and not getting up and doing them? Dunno. Force of habit I imagine.

I think, analysing this post that I probably spend far too much time on line and really must moderate what I'm doing. I need tody to cut the grass, fix the curtain rail (again!), see if can find out whether or not my wallet was found at the Twitter meet up last night.... organise a service for the boiler (that's the hot water boiler, not Sue) and the list goes on and on...

So, can I moderate what I'm doing? Haven't a clue, but I'm going to try and it starts today.

A law unto myself - an audio book by Paul Nicholls

Download the MP3 of a law unto myself entirely free from here

Wow! Here goes, the first chapter of a novel devised and read by me.

I've always loved Rumpole of the Bailey, but thought that it was probably a bit highbrow for many. In my book, Nick Poulson, an average Joe fights for the good of the common man - as a common man at a little firm of solicitors in leafy Kenlworth.

All of the stories are true experiences with a touch of artistic licence. I've completely anonymised clients and actions and drawn from stories that have touched me.

I've tried to write in the style of the James Herriot books to give my audience a peek into the daily life of an English lawyer.

I do hope you enjoy it.

Paul.

all rights reserved : A law unto myself copyright Paul Nicholls 2008.

pillowtalk5

Download the show in MP3 format here

Sue and I chew the fat in pillowtalk show no.5

What a great discussion....your input please!

I have just come back into the office from the car and did that very rare thing: sat in the car for 10 minutes unable to switch off, compelled by the content.

The discussion was on the 'White Season' - talking about whether the voice of the white working class was ignored. There was an almost unanimous 'yes' - with an older asian female caller sugesting that positive discrimination was entirely wrong and had caused real problems. I had to sit and nod my head vigorously.

Professor Carl Chinn, who I (sort of) know - a Birmingham historian with one of the broadest Birmingham accents known to man gave a superb, clear and articulate discussion on the fact that the white working classes were certainly being overshadowed.

The discussion was not racist, not in any way shape or form - all classes and cultures contributed. This was radio at it's best - and I sent Carl's daughter; Tara (a superb female artist) a text message "your dad is my hero!" Bless her, she replied to tell me he was her hero too...

It's an incredible discussion in itself. It's something I want to probe - and I'm going to speak to Carl to see what sort of debate we can provoke in the podcast. What is Britain? Why is there class? What is 'Britishness' that we appear to be hearing as a buzz word these days.

I absolutely love discussions that are really thought provoking. I'd love your views, mail or audio that can be sent to this mail address: podcastpaul@gmail.com Please contribute whether you're British, non - British, whatever your view.

Hope to hear from you very soon.

Paul

New Format and thanks for listening.

Thanks for the folks who've sent mails and twitter DM's etc regarding the new format of the show.

If you haven't heard the podcast, I've changed the format a little - pick a topic, research it, and theme the music to some extent too.

It's amazing how many people say "I just fast forward the music" or "I fast forward the talking". You can't please all of the people all of the time I suppose.... anyway, it's great to see people still listening to the show. There's been a spike in listening figures and some shows are doing great - one showing near 18,000. The number of folks who dip in and out are astonishing - close on half a million in the last two years - that's excellent, thanks!

The blog is something I've neglected a little. Sue mentioned to me that I can sometimes seem a bit 'whiny' or self obsessed - and looking back at some of the posts, and listening to the podcasts I can see that.... sorry! I'll try and be a little more focused. I'm astonished I've kept going since late 2004. it's the fact that you folks listen /read in that keep me going.

Anyway, thanks for the comments, thanks for continuing to listen and thanks to those of you who read the blog (including Lee up at the Burnley office and Jason in his remote Manchester Architect's office..)

Listen out towards the summer months for an audio book I'll be podcasting. I had it in mind to write a book James Herriot / Rumpole style some years ago... then I got back into studying.

Roll on summer...!

podcast 171 podcastpaul.com Surveillance Society

Podcast Paul No. 171 – download the MP3 direct from here

Welcome to the show:

Music in the podcast

Out of the Cold - Settle
Daniel Adam Johnson - Lets watch the world
Green Room - Spybeats
Chris Tapper (of the Push Stars) Feelings without weight

All music from www.music.podshow.com

I talk about surveillance in the UK - and play some comments. What do you think?

I voice my worries over the EU.

Send an email – podcastpaul@gmail.com

British Democracy in tatters.

I was sickened at the very suggestion that the people of the UK are precluded from a referendum on their very future. I am polaxed that our Government have taken that opportunity from us.

The Government secured the opportunity to steam roller over what is thought to be the popular vote of the nation - to say no.

Labour clearly and absolutely promised a vote. So did the Liberals. So what has changed?

We've an unelected Prime Minister wreaking havoc. The very fabric of our country is being chipped away.

I'm disgusted and entirely disillusioned at what I thought was the most democratic country in the world.

What an absolute farce. I have never thought so seriously at emigration.

What cost free speech?

Europe is something that I feel very passionately about - and against.

This story on the BBC site caught my eye.

I am astonished that our Government is deciding on whether or not we, the people of Britain should have a say on our very future. Of course we should! We're a tiny nation with an ever eroding culture that have had the worst policy of immigration for decades. We've simply allowed anyone to enter, and, seemingly stay even if enering illegally. Policy is changing now, but it's all too little too late.

Semantics are irritating - should we have a referendum as to the contents of the Treaty - even though it's not the constitution? It's virtually the same thing!!!!

The function of Government is to be a mouthpiece for the people, so why are Labour, and to a large extent the Lib Dem's not wanting the people to have a say? I'm afraid that when I'm told I have no say, that's the very time I want to speak - and having something that affects the very country I live in is something I feel I absolutely must participate in. It seems incredibly sinister to me that my say is taken away, I'm patted on the head and told to sit in the corner and not to worry. Why are people not shouting from the rooftops? I'll tell you why - the Government are desperately anxious that we'll follow suit with a number of other member states (even those words sound Big Brother-esque; 'member states') and vote no.

Whether or not you share my views on Europe is by the by. Having the most important things decided for me without a say is hardly democratic, in fact it's essentially Totalatarian with the darkest Orwellian shades.

Until I studied EU law I thought Europe was all about silly regulations and the permitted curve of bananas. How wrong I was.

Britain's very sovereignty is under threat. The EU demands sovereignty and very few, notably Germany and Britain resist with a dualist approach to law - i.e. retaining the right to withdraw.

We are a strong, proud nation that has a rich and proud heritage, standing on its own two feet in the world. To be subsumed into a soup of differing cultures, clashes of laws, people groups and unnecessary jealous beauracacy is to spit in the face of those who fought and paid the ultimate price for that we have today. Politicians weren't there in droves at the front line in the great wars - the people were.

Of course I'm not daft enough to think in xenophobic terms, we should welcome folks into Britain (and have) knowing they have things to offer and knowing that we can learn from them. To simply allow all and sundry in, provide benefits and have them demonstrate by burning the Union flag and / or not tackle the flow of illegal imigration has been disasterous. yes, I know that this a minority, but the minority have an extremely loud voice.

Why were we surprised that hundreds of thousands of Eastern Europeans flooded into Britain from poorer climes unnder the EU revolving door policy? I'd have jumped at the chance to do that if I were them, and I certainily don't blame them, the revolving door is ardly reciprocal. Would I want to work in Hungary or Poland? We're too small to accomodate and everything is breaking down.

We've a creaking, faltering NHS system, crime is on the increase, public services crashing, spiralling insidious hidden outrageous taxes and a massively overstretched benefits system.

Europe is a minefeld of clashing jealous cultures and the mere fact that the EU budget has not been ratified by reason of corruption for the last 10 years is one pointer as to why we, the people of the UK should at the very least have a say.

Look closely and carefully at EU politics - the British play with a very fair bat. Notably the French and Italians do not. The French have outright refused to pay fines levied against them, and demanded an unnecessary parliament in Strasbourg at massive, ludicrous cost, despite the framework of Brussels being in place. The list goes on and on.

I for one am exceptionally concerned at Britain and it's eroding culture now. To simply hand over, lock stock and barrel a nation and heritage of generations that has gone before without even wanting to consult the people is breathtakingly arrogant.

Of late we have allowed and tolerated a self styled 'muslim parliament' to speak out. Why? Would anyone like to join me in Saudi Arabia, Yemen or Pakistan to place a flag in the ground and demand a 'Christian Parliament'? I imagine we'd last a few minutes before being carted off by the state. Of course I wouldn't ever countenance the idea, I would not be so brash as to not live within cultural boundaries and would not want to seek to offend.

Free Speech allows this to happen, but it's thought of as wrong to question it. I don't agree with a Muslim Parliament and I find the very thought of it as concerning and isolationist. But that's my take, and I'm allowed to think that in a right thinking, free society. I should not tolerate any state interference with my views, as long as they remain within the boundaries of the law.

Liberal namby-pambys complain that we shouldn't call ourselves a Christian nation and that it's offensive to display the union flag / St. George's flag or to sing God Save the Queen too loudly. These idiots offend me and I find their rationale concerning.

OK, there's free speech, but, there's free speech and there's taking liberties. People are too afraid to speak out, and those who do are termed racist. Eh? Britain has a fantastic number of Britons who are proud to be called British, whatever colour and I know that many share my view, no matter what colour or creed. We should not simply be happy with our lot and stumble on, we should be allowed to say precisely what we think and ensure our voice is heard. If you think I'm a nutter, fine, move along. But don't stop me.

I'm English first, British second and I'm proud to call myself that.

Of course there should be a referendum!

morning musing

It's a beautiful sunny cold crisp March morning as I type this blog entry.

I'm working from home today, lots to do, but when I'm in the mood, it's a pleasure rather than a chore.

Emily, my 11 week old cocker spaniel is sitting curled up on my lap, pretty contented too. She's been a joy in the main (apart from the very odd accident) and seems to be learning and coping really well. She's in and out of the dog flap, having lots of lovely walks in the morning (from Sue, not me!) and really is settling into the family well. We've a cat named Oliver (he always wants more food) and a fish whose name I cannot recall but is something to do with Doctor Who. I'm not a great animal lover, but I do love Emily and still miss Tilly, my old trusted cocker so much.

A lovely steaming hot cup of tea is smoldering into the sun's rays at the side of me and I'm working safe in the knowledge that at 1pm today I go to a celebration lunch at a Michelin star restaurant to celebrate a big High Court win from Monday. Unfortunately I'm not permitted to talk about the action even though it was in open court. It's just satisfying to know that the hard work of some years now means that the 8 crates of 40 lever arch files can gather dust in the cellar for 6 years before being subject to the waste incinerator.

Work is really busy, I've a mammoth five trials this March, hopefully a couple will settle I'm sure.

Everywhere I look in my house I see a DIY job, I must be geting older as I'm actully quite looking forward to doing them (?) When one talks of work / life balance does it mean that you should be as ludicrously busy in the home as you are at work? I'm sure its the same for us all, and you're probably nodding your head as you read this post.

I'm still losing weight... at my heaviest point last year to now I've lost 32 pounds and I'm still losing weight. The conservatory is becoming ever full with rowing machines, weights, exercise benches, etc etc. I really must start using them! I'm finding a new wardrobe of clothes from a few years back and finding that some of my bigger clothes are now just too big. Weird.

A podcast is in the offing, I promise.

Anyway, time to sign off - companies to sue, trials to prepare for etc!



;-)

good nature?

Sorry this sounds cryptic. It's a marker post for me, and a general reminder when I review my blog.

If you're good natured and willing to help, or even be thoughtful, be ready to be misconstrued and dumped on.

If you're generous, be ready to be made a mug of, and seriously taken for granted.

Sadly you need to put yourself first and say no when your instinct tells you yes. Acts of kindness can make you appear odd sometimes. I'm afraid that being forthright is something I'm going to be from now. I hate being used and made a mug of.

Rant over.

Join the forum and get interactive!

Hello again!

It's Sunday morning and I'm at work preparing for a big trial tomorrow. I'm rewarding myself with a break... the way you do....

Please let me encourage as many of you as possible to join my forum at podcastmatters - you can get to the link by pressing here or accessing the address by copying and pasting this link: http://network.podcastmatters.co.uk/group/podcastpaul

I would really love to get the site moving with as many folks joining in the discussions as possible.

Hopefully I'll see you there!

Do remember you can follow me on twitter as paulnicholls.

I quite like the idea of social media when it works. When it's abused and intrusive I don't like it - Facebook and MySpace both seem to suffer from all sorts of rubbish that I can't be bothered to filter.

Twitter seems to be a great site that has held my interest for around six months - and something I visit regularly. I'm into my fourth year of blogging and podcasting and there seems to be no prospect of my interest fading in that. Friends Reunited has been the longest social network I've been involved with, I even set up a couple of reunions with old mates at school that were pretty well attended. Seesmic, the video blogging site seems to be a thriving network that I daren't get involved with, I know I'll get addicted and have even less time on my hands!

What social network sites do you have a view on? What are the pros and cons of social networking?

Any recommendations? Anything to stay away from?

comment here or send a mail to paul (squiggly 'a') podcastpaul [dot] com