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Craig Hicks' Daily Blog!
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You can contact Craig by emailing him at craig.hicks@spirefm.co.uk
Craig's Blog
Fri 9th May
Not a great deal to get off my chest today!
I suppose the main problem with me at the moment is still the fact that my flat isn't selling. I know it's a hard time for the market, but, when you have got it in to your head that your going to move, then everything about your own flat really starts to get on your nerves..From the trains outside, to the people making a noise upstairs! Really need it to sell!
Hopefully, it's going to be a stunning weekend, so I will be heading off to someone's garden to eat, drink and be merry!
Will give you the results on Monday!
Thurs 8th May
You can often tell how a day is going to go by the way it starts. This morning, I was stood in the kitchen having a shave with the electric razor, when my finger must have slipped and flicked the release catch on the top, and sent finely shaved hair shooting over the floor! So, this made for a naked vacuuming situation!
Not the best way to start a Thursday, but at least it's Friday tomorrow!
I would also like to thank the train driver, who was parked in his goods train just down from my flat this morning, sending massive puffs of burning diesel in my windows! Seriously, it was like living by an airport!
On the plus side, I have purchased some rather funky new trainers, and, the apprentice was brilliant last night! They have finally fired two of the most annoying people in the world, besides hale and pace!
Tues 6th May
Well, what a weekend! Some nice weather, and so much going on! Where to start?
Well, as you can see from one of the photo's, it would seems that the more discerning ducks shop at the classy end of town!Couldn't believe they weren't even scared of the trolleys, and, they were there all weekend!
Saturday saw the start of the annual Downton Cuckoo fair, and what an event. It was my first outing, and quite an experience. As you can see from the photo's, entertainment for everyone, from music, to traditional Morris men! Not sure how authentic a cup of tea was in medieval times!
One of the high points for me, was the beer festival out the back of the White Horse. A whole selection of real ales, and, the most bazaar rendering of jazz if have heard for a while. The combined age of the band in the photo must have been well over, well, I wouldn't like to speculate, but if I am as fit and up for jazz as them when I am that old, then it's all good!
Saturday night, and it was off to the 3 tonnes, a top pub in Romsey! The first thing we saw when we sat at our table, parked outside, was the shiny car of top chef and bad language boy, Gordon Ramsey! He has just moved to the town, and has already been barred from the pub for saying the food was, well, not very ****ing good!
Seriously, can't he just go out for a meal like everyone else? That would be like me going in to a night club and slagging off the DJ for being rubbish! Oh, wait a minute, I do!!
Sunday, another semi lovely day, and it was off to the races! My first outing at the races in Salisbury, and it was brilliant! The fact we had our own private box, rammed with beer and cheese helped to add to the experience. Never the less, I would love to go again, even in the cheep seats! Won't take so much cash next time though!
Yesterday, after work, my good lady and I went for a walk along the river. We are so lucky in Salisbury to have so many walks to go on, wild life and all things natural! 2 things though! Firstly, if like me, your a bit of a chunker, and fancy a sit down in a remote part of the river walk, there is not a bench in sight! Secondly, why people are unable to clean up the mess there dogs make is beyond me! the amount of time we spent navigating round big piles of dogs muck really started to take the shine off the outing!
Come on doggy people! pick it up!!!
right, that's enough from me! more tomorrow!
Friday 2nd May 1st May
Well, as I sit here having just had an unhealthy chocolate brownie, should I feel guilty? No is the answer to that! Why? A good question. Yesterday, I left a nice beef casserole in the slow cooker, the plan being to eat it all up when I got in last night. Unfortunately, I forgot to turn it on, so my lovely lady had to put the food in the oven when she got in. The whole meal was subsequently ruined, so, off to the chippy in salt lain, for pie, chips, mushy peas and curry sauce. If the powers that be, in the European parliament ban mushy peas, it will be a travesty!
Now, I have shocking news! It's with a sense of regret, that I have to inform you, dear reader, that my mum has joined face book!!!!!! Oh god!!! The ironic thing is that I wont be part of it! If I want to chat to anyone from my school days, then I pick up the phone as I still know where the people I actually want to talk to are! If I want to give someone a cake, or even a poke, I will do it in person! And, I really don't care if Mr. X has left the Portsmouth forever fan club! somebody make it stop!!! Right, moan over! So, tomorrow, I am off to the Downton Cuckoo fair, and Sunday, I will be at the races, so loads to tell you on Monday!
Thursday 1st May
O.K don't worry! the blog is back! well, first port of call is obviously the apprentice! another top quality item last night, with the candidates having to invent a new day to make greeting cards for! so, one team went for an idea of environment, which is great, despite the fact that cards cause waist, therefore not really environmentally friendly!
So, thank god their team leader, kevin, got fired! never have i been more glad to see someone get the boot! the sun burn i acquired on my head at the weekend has faded to a lovely tan! well, almost. there is now a bit of head which is pealing like an orange though! how attractive! right, so much going on this weekend, that you must come back and read all about it tomorrow!
Craig's Blog
Monday 28 april
.......What a gorgeous weekend! hot and sunny on saturday, and rain and thunder yesterday! must be in england! pleased to say, that yes, i am a typical brit! one bit of sunshine and my head is glowing! when will we learn! got to say though that as far as salisbury goes, best pub garden must be the bishops mill! just sitting by all the cascading water can if you shut your eyes make you think your somewhere else!
......Well, until the busker starts. Someone was on the bridge in fisherton street, with a guitar, entertaining the passing crowd. the sad thing is that he only knew 3 songs, cold play's yellow and the scientist, and, one republic, stop and stare. he sat and sang the same 3 songs for about 2 hours! 10 points for effort! then, while walking round salisbury yesterday, heard him again! oh please, don't the police move people on like they used to? so, back at work with my sun burned head, and pictures of ducks to come!
Fri 25th April
so, last night, i went for yet another after dinner stroll by the river. as we headed past the salisbury coach park, we were shouted at by i assume tourists, "allo, do you speak french"? a great question! i mean, about 18 years ago, i could have probably held my own if they wanted to know where the train station was, or, how much for a room with a shower and a window! last night, no chance! i think i still know the phrase, ou est la sange? where is the monkey!
i can then answer, the monkey is in the tree! this i am sure is what they didn't want to here! so, like any polite young brits, we just looked straight ahead and walked on past! so, yet another busy weekend is approaching! a viewing on our flat and a night out in southampton! potentially loads to tell you next monday!
Thurs 24th April
.......went on my little walk round salisbury last night, and had a sudden thought. for those who don't know, on fisherton street, there is a railway bridge, heavily populated by pigeons! now, it's a main route in to town and subject to bouts of stopping and starting! so, i wonder, how often a tourist from out of town has been cruising in to the city in there nice convertible, stopped under the bridge, and had a pigeon lose yesterdays lunch straight on there shiny leather upholstery! god, i would pay to see that!
....brilliant apprentice again last night! the task, to make and sell ice-cream to the trade! so, who's the first people you don't contact? an ice-cream parlour! can't believe they tried to sell ice-cream to an italian who makes his own, how ridiculous! right, i am off to make some radio happen! send me a message if you love or hate my random nattering!
Wed 23rd April
so, last night, it returned! craigy time! its like hammer time, but more exciting! (if your not an mc hammer fan, that will mean nothing) basically, it's when the weather is nice enough, i get to have a walk round our fair city after my dinner. the route normally takes me by the river from sainsbury's down towards waitrose! near waitrose, there are 2 bridges, one of which i have re-named spider bridge! the reason is the picture above! under the bridge, there is a colony of spiders, totally huge and horrible. i am told the council sometimes come and remove them, but, judging by last night, nothing has been done for a while! the gag of course, is to pretend my fiancé has one in her hair! ours of fun!
now, isn't it funny how rhyming slang has totally changed the meaning of some words? i say this as while i was watching jules holland's later show last night, he said, "and next, urtha kit"! obviously conjured up an image of jim royal from the royal family saying i am off for an urtha! now, we all know what he meant! thank god he didn't ruin the film forest gump! or worse, off for a doctor who!! (think about it)!
on to today, and of course it's st. georges day! well done to the george and dragon pub for opening up from 7am to serve up breakfasts to the hungry hoards of salisbury, helped by chris ewingtons live breakfast show. not sure, but i am sure they had sold 20 pints by 9.30! beer with a full english? really? funny how st. georges day tends to pass us all by, but when its st. patrics day, everyone suddenly becomes Irish for 24 hours of madness! maybe if the government would let us have a public holiday to celebrate our patron saint, people may be a bit more interested!
right, enough rambling, more tomorrow!
Tues 22nd April
.......well, i really can't work this country out! yesterday, pouring rain and blowing wind, today, stunning sunshine and t-shirt weather! what's going on? so have just been down to the george and dragon pub in castle street to set up our live breakfast show for tomorrow! people in the garden having lunch and a general atmosphere of good will! salisbury is such a nice place in the sunshine! the only problem with having the weather so nice, is that i have nothing to moan about, so a short blog today! promise to have more to get off my chest tomorrow!
Mon 21st April
....well, what another genius weekend! starting off with arsenals stuffing of reading at lunch time on saturday! love it! what with my saturday outing to the gym, was feeling on pretty top form going in to sunday!
woke up to bright sunshine, and no jacket required, so, a brilliant opportunity to walk round the market square in salisbury and see what was happening for our st. georges day celebrations.
once again, a brilliant spread of entertainment from city centre management! hog roast, olive stall, people on stilts, and general mucking around, made for a superb atmosphere in the centre of the city.
shame my favourite pub chose today not to be doing sunday lunch! gutted! well, after i found somewhere to stuff my self, off to the new forest in search of a summery sunday ice cream. not a problem you would think, until you get to the temporary set of lights on the a338! what a great time of year to put a set of lights on one of the main tourist routs in to and out of salisbury, not going to help the local economy i am sure.
anyway, new forest was fab as usual, even though we got stuck in a traffic jam behind a cows backside as it wandered down a country road. wish i had got the registration number of the bloke who felt it necessary to overtake the cars and cows in a speed restricted area! what a plumb!
so to last night. i settled down in front of the box with something cold in a bottle! there is nothing better than my annual rant at the bafta awards! what a joke, there was not one single award i agreed with, apart from the fellowship award going to bruce Forsyth, the legend and general god of tv!
beyond that, nothing for skins, the apprentice, and not even a showing for shameless! rubbish!! so, a new week, and more ranting here tomorrow!
Fri 18th April
blog update! well, i am so please to say the new studio chair has arrived, and, faye has found a brilliant use for the box that it came in! now, where's that duck tape?
Well, anyone who has heard my show, knows that i live next to a railway line, which causes me no end of bother, until last night that is! several times a year, a steam train called the cathedral express, a service for steam enthusiasts from victoria to the west country, passes my flat. so nice to hear and smell a steam train, doesn't mean i am a spotter though, don't think that for a second!
Good to see graham norton on the tv again last night. although the show is far from the levels his channel four show used to plunge to, its still one of the best things on the bbc, and, as i mentioned yesterday, all set for the big graham norton weekend between now and sunday night! speaking of campery, caught a bit of the tv dramatisation of the Kenneth Williams diaries this week on bbc4. we think of him as being so funny, but behind the scenes, it would seem that he was extremely sexually repressed, and had a major case of ocd. a piece of footage showed him finding an insect on his sheets, and ended up with him spraying the whole bed in ddt! shame, so tragic! so, all set for the weekend and i am faced with a dilemma, Chinese or pizza tonight? any help greatly appreciated!
Thurs 17th April
To start today's little entry, a picture of how we spend our time in the office, duck taping staff to their chair!
isn't duck tape the best cure for boredom?
Well, i have spoken about it on the air, and i was proved right! simon got the boot from the aprentice!! once again, a genius hour of television last night, with claire, alex and lucinda being the three most anoying people on the show. the sad thing is, i really liked simon! he was one of the most down to earth people that has been on the show for the past couple of series, and now he has gone, i really don't want anyone else to win! and what a dignified exit!
i must suggest to you though that you need to watch the aprentice your fired! it's on bbc2 at 10, after the bbc1 show, and is pure class! if only for the pure psarcasm of adrian childs! and more on tv! great news if your a graham norton fan! he is back at 9 tonight with his graham norton show, then on saturday with i'd do anything, then back on sunday with the i'd do anything results show, the bafta awards, and, the repeat of the graham norton show!
camp tv ahoy!the saga of my flat continue's. i am trying to sell it so i can move somewhere nice and countrified, but in the current market i am struggling! the best viewing i have had so far is a woman who came round and said that it was lovely, but not central enough!!! seriously? i live off fisherton street, where does she want to live, the cathedral! oh well, the hunt for a buyer continues!!
Wed 16th April
...once again, i have loads to empty out of my head, so please read on! firstly, it is with sadness that we have to say goodbye to the on air studio presenters chair! this is the point at which stuart mcginley ended the chairs short but highly productive life! rest in pieces!!
firstly, to answer a question. i was emailed by marie, who asked my thoughts on the new series of doctor who! well, its like this, it's a genius show, with brilliant story lines, good drama and massive special effects. david tenant is with out question up there as one of the best doctors there has ever been, but catherine tate, well, its a flaming liberty!!! have to say she is far from my favourite assistant, but hopefully she will grow on me, i mean after all, its only episode two!
have to say, bit of a tragic week for me on tv, with skins finishing on monday, and shameless finishing last night. think i may have to get in to gavin and stacey, the funniest thing on tv apparently!
my fitness campaign continues, although at this rate, i will be in court on a harassment charge. imagine, last night, i was streaking like a shark up and down the pool at my gym, when whilst doing front crawl, i approached the end of the pool, my arm came over in the front crawl stroke, and my fingers almost pulled off some poor woman's bathing costume! thank the lord she laughed, else i would have been making the news on my own radio station!! but that brings up a whole new question. why do people who go to the gym to get fit, insist on standing at the end of the pool chatting? so really, if i had have de-robed the poor lady in question, she has only got her self to blame!! once again, i have loads to empty out of my head, so please read on! firstly, it is with sadness that we have to say goodbye to the on air studio presenters chair! this is the point at which stuart mcginley ended the chairs short but highly productive life! rest in pieces!!
firstly, to answer a question. i was emailed by marie, who asked my thoughts on the new series of doctor who! well, its like this, it's a genius show, with brilliant story lines, good drama and massive special effects. david tenant is with out question up there as one of the best doctors there has ever been, but catherine tate, well, its a flaming liberty!!! have to say she is far from my favourite assistant, but hopefully she will grow on me, i mean after all, its only episode two!
have to say, bit of a tragic week for me on tv, with skins finishing on monday, and shameless finishing last night. think i may have to get in to gavin and stacey, the funniest thing on tv apparently!
my fitness campaign continues, although at this rate, i will be in court on a harassment charge. imagine, last night, i was streaking like a shark up and down the pool at my gym, when whilst doing front crawl, i approached the end of the pool, my arm came over in the front crawl stroke, and my fingers almost pulled off some poor woman's bathing costume! thank the lord she laughed, else i would have been making the news on my own radio station!! but that brings up a whole new question. why do people who go to the gym to get fit, insist on standing at the end of the pool chatting? so really, if i had have de-robed the poor lady in question, she has only got her self to blame!!
Tues 15th April
Well, no negative comments so far! i am shocked! so back to my weekend! those of you who have listened to the show will know that i am fully in to keeping tropical fish. bit of a pain to set up the whole aquarium to begin with, but now its running, requires just a bit of maintenance now and again. so, saturday, i bought a new aquarium vacuum to clean the gravel. there i am, with a bucket of dirty fish water, so what to do with it? well, flush it down the toilet obviously. this is fine, apart from i ended up with a toilet full of gravel from the tank that wouldn't flush away. so, 2 hours later, there i am with a spoon, trying to shove gravel round my u bend! my life is so rock and roll!
...last night was the last episode of the current series of skins. its not a programme meant for my age group (early 30's), but more for teens or twenty something's! never the less, its brilliant! it follows the fortunes of a group of a level students who go to sixth form college, based in the bristol area. they get up to all sorts of stuff, drink and other activities, but with normally hilarious consequences! this series though has been a change from the first, very dark and at times quite depressing! the series finished with all the cast members going there own separate ways, ready for a new cast to start in the next series. i really hope E4 put some of the fun back in to the show, i mean, life can't be that depressing all the time can it? looking forward to tonight though, as channel 4's excellent output continues with shameless! give it a watch, i can't recommend it highly enough! just watch out for the bad language!! next time, telephone directory enquiries services!
Mon 14th April
Well, I am sat at my desk with the knowledge that I have decided to write a blog, and, this raises two issues: firstly, this is a commitment that I must keep up, nothing worse than an out of date blog secondly, what to blog about? well, I have taken the decision that I will do a blog based on my personal life for two main reasons, firstly, I don't want to talk about work politics on the spire fm website, and secondly, anyone who has heard my show, knows that I am a complete moaner, and what better way to offload my gripes and neuroses than on a blog! so, here we go!
Firstly, I need to thank matt barton, a fellow presenter who got him self locked in the spire fm studio's last weekend. he dragged me from my warm house to stand on a cold and windy fire escape until he was freed! I must say, its the first time I have answered trivia questions from someone who is behind a closed and unmovable locked door! the ironic thing is that when they came to fixe the door, and had no luck with a local lock smith,they had to force it open, which is something I would have happily done a good half hour earlier, both to free matt, and relieve some personal tension! so, started this weekend with the hope that it would be somewhat of an improvement, well, until I saw Britain's got talent! what a way to wreck my saturday night!
The show as a concept is brilliant, harking back to the times when saturday night tv was all about variety shows to watch with the whole family, to cheer or ridicule the various acts! in some ways, this was the same, apart from the panel of judges. simon cowell, well love him or hate him, tv god, but the other two, where does there right to judge others come from? anyway, there was a couple of genius acts, including the trained dog, who by the way appeared on a similar bbc show with graham norton last year!
And then it happened, I saw the trail for next weeks show, with the woman crying and saying that the song was for her kids!! now stop me if I am wrong, but, shouldn't these shows be based purely on talent? sorry if that is a controversial view point, but I hate the way these sorts of shows use personal issues to mask the fact that sometimes, an individual is not quite the talent we think!! so to sunday, and what a day! bright sunshine, hail and thunder! must be living in britain! and to the enterprise inns pub team challenge final! 2 of the regions finest pubs battled it out for the coveted trophy the teams, the bustered inn at shrewton, against the royal george in bedwin street! now tensions were high as the george were a previous winner, and were desperate to regain there title! after a hard fought contest, they did it with 1100 points.
I was at the george for last nights win, and have to say thanks for there warm hospitality, lovely food and the icing on the cake, the free couple of pints of beer! right, so was this a good or pants first entry? anything that you want to react to then feel free, and email me via the website and I will discuss in my next instalment!
