Album Review: Chaleur Humaine/Christine and the Queens

A debut album from a French group which, after a much hailed Glastonbury set, have just bagged themselves a number 2 slot in the UK album charts (June 2016).

iT Saint Claude Tilted No Harm Is Done (featuring Tunji Ige) Science Fiction" Letissier Paradis perdus Half Ladies Jonathan" (featuring Perfume Genius) Narcissus is Back Safe and Holy Night 52 Here

This is quite a departure from my normal listening genre however the dreamy syth melodies soon enchanted me. The breathy French vocals bring back feelings of Enigma's albums and several of the tracks could easily sit amongst their tunes. The opening track, "iT" is a little simple for my taste and "Saint Claude" is much more interesting. You are treated to a classic syth sound with "Tilted" particular the inclusion of some sweet French rap. "No harm is Done"'s opening piano sounds pulls you back to a more traditional sound but quickly we're dropped back to some electronic buzz. This is reenforced with the mellow "Science Fiction", "Paradis Perdus" and "Half Ladies". By now you should of fully slouched into your seat. I find "Jonathan" a bit whiney and my least liked track. "Narcissus" is a welcome return and leads nicely into the strongest tracks "Safe and Holy" and "Night 52". The foot tapping of the former is firmly stilled by the piano intro of the latter. Very pleasant. "Here" is somehow catchy and I'm sure with some more listening it would grow further on me. In conclusion, a very pleasant album with several strong tracks which are worth grabbing a glass of your favourite and chilling out to.

Competition: Win Trip to New York

Virgin Atlantic with 3 separate prize draws: Trip to New York Weekend break at DoubleTree by Hilton 2 Nights at Gleneagles Draw date: 19th Oct 2016/ 12th Aug 2016/ 2nd Sep 2016

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/offers-news/competitions.html

Event: Paint Soldier for 'Somme 100'

Yippee, its my birthday today so my year has now officially started!! Obviously I want to do 1 of my 50 on this key day ... but what?

Well given that we are currently remembering 100 years since the vast loss of life during the Battle of the Somme, then it seemed too good an opportunity to overlook taking part in one of its events.

One of the biggest battles of World War I, the Battle of the Somme resulted in 419,654 Commonwealth casualties of which 95,675 lost their lives or were reported as missing. On day one alone 19,240 were killed. We know these are big numbers but its a real problem to visualise 19,240 people.

Well the National Memorial Arboretum are trying to enlist the public to paint and decorate 19,240 little wooden soldiers. And I enlisted my family to help out.

Have a guess who do you think painted each one?

Competition: Win Overwatch PS4

Telegraph with following prizes: 1 x Overwatch PS4 5 x Overwatch Game Draw date: 31st July 2016

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/what-to-play/win-a-rare-custom-designed-overwatch-ps4-console/

Event: Spencer Tunik: Sea of Hull

So strictly speaking the first of my 50 happened a few weeks too early but heck it was too good to miss out on.

Months earlier I had spotted a newspaper article describing how Spencer Tunick had created another installation somewhere in the world and that he was coming to Hull that summer. A quick Google and before I knew it I had filled out the application form. Then thought nothing more of it.

Can you spot me?

Then in April I got an email confirming my place with some detail. One key item was that all communications were to remain secret ... basically they didn't every Tom, Dick and Harry (excuse the puns) turning up to watch.

Leaving at midnight, I arrived apprehensively in Hull for the 3am start, got my paint and waited with 3200 other confused but excited models (it somehow sounds more legit using that word ;) ).

Harder one to spot but definitely identifiable

Just before dawn, the tannoy shouted out the first of many instructions "get ready". Minutes later thousands of people in the buff, slapped paint on every part of themselves then when that was done turned to others to touch up ("oh err missus") gaps they had missed. 3 groups in 3 different shades of blue-green.

Wandering around Hull was a little strange but fun. Getting that many people together, stripping them of all possessions and its amazing how much of a leveller that can be. Jokes came in fast and Spencer, a Yank, had a hard time keeping up with the British humour. He did however eventually get the message when he asked people to move onto the sidewalk and thousands replied in unison that it was a "pavement!"

Testing the paint coverage

Some modesty (and warmth) at end

6-7 photo stops later we were definitely a bit cold. Some 3-4 hours in tempertures around 10 degrees is hardly comfortable especially when the breeze picked up but very few ran off to warm up. Seems the crowd were madder than I had taken them for.

Once done, and driving back home I decided to grab a coffee in a motorways service station still in my blue makeup (but dressed this time). The number of looks I got was fun. A couple of women approached me "Are you from that naked photo shoot", I sure was. And loved every minute.

Even soles of feet

Not quite everything

Welcome!!!

Welcome to Steve's 50 Things blog.

OK let's get the obvious out of the way first, YES I've had a mid-life crisis! After crazy busy teen-years, adventurous 20's I started to slow down in my 30's. Now coming up to my 50th I've decided to see if I can do more than squander my spare time either fixing the house, chaparoning the kids somewhere and back, or battling some insanely difficult boss on the Playstation just to get a virtual gold trophy.

The idea is to find things I haven't done before, or at least haven't tried in at least 20 years. Now things is purposely vague since I don't want to be limited and somehow impose restrictions on exploring any opportunities that might arise.

Although I could go after 50 single things I felt that I also wanted to show some level of dedication to some of my endeavours. In this case 1 thing will be made up of multiple sub-things. Confused? Let me give an example.

I rarely go to the cinema nowadays so I plan to review 50 newly released movies. This will count as 1 thing. This type of challenge will take more commitment and should help break my old routines and hopefully help form new and more rewarding habits.

Lastly, this is my first blog so be nice and comment any ideas you may have for new things I could investigate. Trolls are not welcome. Family friendly comments only please.