Ed Force One at The Northern

                                  Run to the Hills!

Ed Force One, a local Iron Maiden Tribute Band. As someone who was with me said "they are very good, and very loud"" Well you can't really have a quiet Iron Maiden Tribute Band now can you! Got to be loud, got to be heavy and they packed the venue out. The venue being The Northern, or should I say the bar that everyone still calls Bar Logo, one of its former names. The Northern is fast becoming a great weekend venue for local bands.....not everyone wants to karaoke, some of us want to be entertained by musicians on a night out. Excellent set, got a great set of photos, and they serve Jack Daniels. Result!


Ed Force one can be found at http://www.myspace.com/edforce1
 

And the rest of my photos can be found on Facebook when I get round to uploading them.


Ramsey, Toytown Island.

So, where was I .....

Isn't he pretty in pink

..... taking a break from being the Queen B of the Isle of Man... you have no idea how unruly some of my subjects are.. and trying to be a normal minnion. BORING! So, instead of next month, when my original return to blogging with a bang was planned, I have woken from my coma( the snoozy real world) and reactivated the blog. This will displease many people who thought I had run off to the hills( no just lost drunk with a bag of chips in the woods, yes really) and please an awful lot apparently who seem to be addicted to what I have to bang on about and what goes on in Ramsey. Why? I mean we are talking people in the hub bub of New York think I live in the real Hell's Kitchen. No, it's just the way I convey it to the masses with a little picture which I constantly have to explain. Er, like why has that man got pink fishnet tights as gloves for starters. Have you never read my blog. Hello, I live on an island, named in honour of a man, like their are no woman here and our flag, has 3 legs as it's symbol.... pink gloved men relatively normal pass time.

Oh, if I must explain! I'm not making this up, you are looking at a member of a band called, Sloth Loves Chunk. The pink outfit is donned for the rendition of Electric Six's Gaybar.... complete with dance routine to a packed pub most places on the island, but as this is all about Ramsey, that would be er, the Britannia pub then. In fact I know it was as I spent the night snapping away, on free Jack Daniels, and enjoying the set... especially Wolfmother "Woman" and Foo Fighters "Monkey Wrench". That's just like a big hint there to keep those in the set lads and nothing whatsover to do with the blog. Now if you're on Facebook and on the island you can follow the band and turn up and support them. If you live off island you are probably still pondering why he has pink fishnet gloves on and could I not have used my first post back to show you a pretty sunset or a little snippet of history re Ramsey or the a local news event. What do you think this is a travelogue! I live here and you will see Ramsey as I do.

Sure you're happy with the once and future Queens return?

MOONSTRUCK BLUES - SYKWATCH

You want the moon? I'll get you the moon

No not a Blue Moon, but a Blues Moon. In fact It's so well behaved it sits slap bang on those electrical wires nestling in a true blue sky. I know I'm showing you a first here, a cloudless bluest of blue sky. Not a speck of grey, no drizzle, fog, mist. Not even so much as more than a gentle breeze. Very obliging lone bird flew into shot at the right moment too. What can I say! It's always a wonderful life at the festival. Of course the day after it was pis..... I mean persisting down with ocean rain, winds worse than Wuthering Heights and the moon had skedaddled back to undercover of the night. You wanted the moon , I got you the moon, the whole of the moon not dancing but certainly moonstruck.

It's over 'til next year. Do you remember the photos of the musicians and my words being" I haven't a clue who who the guy is" and "anyone want to fill in the Blanks feel free? Well knock me down with a feather! Out of the Blue(s) the saxophonist has left a comment to tell me it was him. So now I know who he and the guitarist are. That would be the deliciously titled "Manx Jazz Kats" and I will be telling you more about them tomorrow. Of course that's if you're good I'll even show you the faces that go with the hands I posted this week. Lots of images all in one post. Spoiling you. Babooshka will be presenting "Manx Jazz Kats" and I know you'll all be thrilled to see them and tell them so, especially you Virginia, Birmingham DP. People, V. I got me some real live people. Poor Manx Jazz Kats. Not sure they are prepared for the worldwide audience on this blog. To sneak a peek click colour below. Makes a change from not being able to photograph the Police with UK Photographic laws. If you are in the UK you need to read that post. See third link.

Sax appeal
Plucking performer
Police framed


Skywatch watchers can be found here. Many thanks to Dot for the inspirational idea, Tom for the first caretaking and the My world gang for looking after skywatch now.

That's all folks!

NOT ANOTHER PLUCKING PERFORMER! - ABC

What the pluck is he strumming?

This week Abc is brought to you my the letter P

Can you see a pattern forming this week? Yes be prepared to be inundated with musician images from the, now finished, Laxey Blues Festival. Don't worry they won't all be close ups of little men playing with their instruments. In fact I will have a fabulous skywatch, an arresting sight, ghostbusters, some petal power, people watching...... Boys keep swinging is on hold. Well they aren't on hold anymore of course, but they may just be Facebook images. I know these people a little too well. Oh yes and to keep all you monochrome maniacs happy a bevy of your arty performance wide shots. Forgive my excursion from Ramsey to Laxey but I would seriously get the blues if I didn't get to watch the Blues. Honestly it's a "workthang" too. Hard work taking 193 images you know and well someone has to drink the Jack Daniels on offer. Rude not too and it's surprising how you see the moon is all I'll say. Friday, sweeties Friday.


This "plucking performer"( I know strumming is the correct term but we are on P not S and I'm using artistic license) is from the same band as yesterday's "sax appeal" image. I went with the colour again instead of the usual monochrome simply because I liked the hue(note I like me, me, me) of the red shirt seeping into soft focus, the blue guitar and those skin tones. Yes, yes I promise I will show you those atmospheric mean and moody blues/jazzy black and white images, today I want to splurge on the skin tones. To see other Laxey Blues Festival images from previous years, click colours below.


Harmonica Man

Back Door Slam

Reloaded

Sax Appeal '09


Once again image not a crop, as taken just a low res re size for the blog, so don't be a meanie and stealy or you take money out of my pocket(that's why they are smaller images so they pixelate if meanes nick them.) Yes photographers eat too. Chips and COLD Milkshakes. You have noted I have a cold milkshake issue this week. Bad service, you know who you are! No I won't let it lie!

Go to Mrs N for a plethera of O's.


Not the laughing policeman at 400 tomorrow

SHADOW PUPPETS - MONOCHROME ODD SHOTS

Echoes, past or present

Monochrome Odd Shots

During the course of taking the images I often rest a while with the ipod in between snapping on one of the many benches dotted around the town. Planning my next move. The music can be inspirational or a just a respite. In this case the germ of an idea. The last Shadow Puppets are a brilliant young group amalgamated from two other bands from the UK
whose music has many influences one of which is Scott Walker. Having the ipod on I didn't hear the walkers passing behind the bench hut but I did espy them. A gift of odd shot was about to occur with seconds to spare. Even at rest the camera is like Thunderbirds FAB and ready to go.
I only had one chance at this before the image here would be unattainable. The Shadow Puppets strings were pulled by the Puppet Master and the image saved for posterity. I've no regrets, no tears goodbye to them, and even if the sun ain't gonna shine anymore here I got the required image. Next! Another such recent image can be seen if you click here. Songs title and irony I am often guilty of with my posts when I am tired, bored or just be in a plain malevolent mood. Below though is not at all ironic.


Another more sinister and poignant group of images of shadows are the ones left in Hiroshoma after the Atomic Bomb dropped by the Enola Gay exploded. One of the most famous is the person waiting for the bank to open whose shadow became imprinted on the steps. Watches and clocks too stopped at 8.15am. One photo can be interpreted in so many ways however it was inspired, or could have no meaning at all. Interpretation, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


Click Katney for your odd shot quirks. Click Aileni for your monochrome maniacs.


Babooshka ramsey daily photo http://dailyphotoisleofman.blogpsot.com/

ZEN - IS A LOU REED CONCERT- ABC

White Noise, or Zen again

Waiting for the Man maybe?

Why have you got two images. As a treat. One you have seen previously on you haven't. You have them because I have to use do the same Z- Zen. Why because someone(Ok Gary), took the Maxtor, with all my images, to the building he is working in and as left it there overnight. Still no laptop yet( soon though) so no images at all whatsover. Guess what I can't even get images off the net I have copyrighted them at watermarked them too well. So Zen it is. Not such a perfect day for me though. Back to Zen

 

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Now, the interpretation of Zen is subjective. As it's the last one this round, I thought a little lateral thinking was required. For me I just wanted to illustrate what it meant to me incorporating all of the above, from my spiritual, religious, human standpoint etc and a time when I felt all or most of the above and usually for me it's through music. So please accept this offering in the spirit of the post, and in no way is it meant to belittle or denigrate any one'sbeliefs.

The Lou Reed concert At the Douglas Marina, Isle of man, was one of my all time Zen moments. A Perfect Day. For me this the perfect example of a group of very diverse people, putting, politics, race, religion aside and being caught up in the moment of pure musical euphoria. You can call it escapism, and maybe it is but for me live music, especially by one of the all time greats is a slice of heaven, or being at one with the world, point of fact my own slice of Zen.

I wasn't feeling very Zen at all today. No photos, my usual bread not in Shoprite (is anything), Tescos still hasn't delivered our food, the food shoprite hasn't got, which is why we have to order from Tesco's and some nutter is spamming blogs with his sex blog, that carries a virus. You boring idiot. Grow up!  Don't forget Ramsey Daily Photo is now a group on facebook, anyone can join, just introduce your self on the wall of fame. Click my facebook logo. I can really rant and rave there. I'll even upload some vids. You tube anyone.

For more ABC see the hostest with the mostest Mrs Nesbitt. 

BRITANNIA PUB, RAMSEY

Britannia Pub, Ramsey, Isle Of Man
Fancy a pint?

When I asked you what you'd like to see of Ramsey on the blog top of your list was people, but you all understand the logistics of snapping away at islanders can be a little difficult. Next on the list was pubs. Not flash bars, but a proper pub with a non trendy down to earth name, where you can get a proper pint of beer and bag of pork scratching( don't ask!) Voila!( did I really type that?) here it is. I suppose I have to tell you all about it now too don't I?

Situated on the corner of Peel Street and Waterloo Road is The Britannia Hotel- to give it it's official name, is colloquially known to us locals as the Brit. Unlike other local pubs that local name is logical. You wait 'til you hear the rest. Not today though. Boasting not one, but two rooms. The Pool Room and what you'd call a Lounge room. Don't be fooled my the quiet exterior of the pub. It's hub bub of activity.

The quiz night for starters. Ramsey has it's very own quiz league where most of the pubs take part. One off quizzes often take place here for charitable events. Play darts anyone? Ladies and Gents darts teams, and of course a darts league. Then of course there are the bands. Yes real live bands playing a very mixed bag of goodies for your listening pleasure from rock to blues to contemporary. Even been know for the folk club to meet here. Told you it was busy.

To go with the very straight forward text for once I tried my hardest not to take a technical professional image but a simple snapshot with a local leaving the shot, as the daily photo should be. In case you are wondering, no not one of my local pubs, wrong side of town. I have been in though for the occasional quiz. One more thing about the Britannia that may or may not still happen.You could buy Valentine's and Mother's Day cards at the bar for the forgetful drunk.
Now how about that for enterprising.

Does your local pub/bar sell anything other than drinks and food?