Head Space Daily Words...

The football match I saw today at Villa Park goes to show why sporting occasions are so vital for the human psyche. A first half of resolute defending felt like no more than an attempt by the Villa team at damage limitation, and delaying the inevitable. We offered nothing going forward and looked inferior in every department. We weren't bad but it felt like both the Villa team and supporters had accepted we were second best. City were faster, stronger, more confident and incisive. So when they went a goal up on the stroke of half time, the feeling was that it was game over. Of course, no football supporter or player would admit this, as it is a game of two halves and you have to keep believing but it felt like a vain hope. In fact, City were so superior in the opening 45 that I think the City team and their fans became complacent and a touch arrogant. I tweeted during the interval that we needed a miracle. Pulling a goal back relatively early in the second period was a good start, before reverting to type minutes later and conceding again, to then score two goals in two minutes to ultimately win the game. The miracle happened. Sport in general and football in particular, during these 'comeback' moments can lift you as a group of supporters and individually, to make you believe that you can achieve the seemingly unattainable, that you can push yourself further. They encourage you not to give up and that you can achieve what may seem improbable. Of course Manchester City fans won't be feeling this way at the moment but they have had their recent share of glory and comebacks, so for tonight, I'm going to savour mine...

Head Space Daily Image...

The Holte End roof. The sky. Divine intervention...

Head Space Daily Tune...

Mark Capanni - I Believe In Miracles

A sun drenched San Fran version of I Believe In Miracles. Enjoy...

Head Space Daily Words...

I've just watched the Northern Soul documentary on the BBC's Culture Show. I feel quite emotional, because it speaks to me about what music means and makes me remember why I have a love of both Northern Soul and many other types of music besides. Northern Soul to me is to lose yourself. It is passion, belonging, escapism, to be uplifted, to forget, to dance, to share in something that is not mainstream, that feels special to you. One three minute hit after another. I can put a record on my turntable and be instantly transported away from my day to day, of jumping through never ending hoops, to being in a place that feels good and is mine. No one else can interfere or pass judgement. It is me, a tune and my bad dancing, which feels marvellous...

Head Space Daily Image...

Not my photo obviously but a Northern Soul image had to be put up this evening...

Head Space Daily Tune...

Tobi Legend - Time Will Pass You By

This amazing slice of Northern Soul closed the BBC documentary. I'm going spin some tunes...

Head Space Daily Words...

Having written on this very blog several months ago about people from Birmingham having a disposition to stick their thumbs up - and coming from Birmingham myself, I am certainly not shy in raising that particular digit - there is no contest in my eyes for the winner of the next 4th plinth sculpture in Trafalgar Square. David Shrigley's gigantic fist, supporting a ridiculously large thumb, pointing skywards, needs to become a national treasure. The piece is called Really Good and that is what the thumbs up sign is all about - a symbol of friendship, honour and something good happening, which we could all do with a bit more of. No doubt there are deep intellectual connotations to be derived from the sculpture but in my view, Brummies and the public at large, should be rooting for the ten metre high 'thumbs up' to grace one of Britain's national landmarks and I'm sure you will all agree that it can be no bad thing...

Head Space Daily Image..

My shadow on our beach in Brittany - and another Shadow on the Daily Tune...

Head Space Daily Tune...

Skullfuckery - DJ Shadow

My i-pod was on shuffle on the way home and I was delighted, for the first time, to come across this slice of jazz-funk-70s cop show theme action from DJ Shadow...