OK, I have a week off next week and intend, in between catching up on OU stuff, to re-invigorate this site. What this probably means is me deciding to use a new theme, fiddling around with it a lot and not being happy with anything and so reverting to this (at least no-one will get lost). But a site (non-)makeover isn't enough. I need to actually blog some too.

Those of you who know me or follow me on twitter or here will know I like my music. This year alone I have been to 8 gigs, seeing 19 bands and a set by @mitchbenn at Eastercon. I love my local music scene although would like to be more involved in it and I know that Manchester and Liverpool are also really exciting places musically right now.

February has been a busy month. A month of gigs which, while slowing slightly, is far from stopping. It's shaping up to be a busy year. A varied diet of music here I think: dance, pop, indie, misc. Coming up I have James, Ash, La Roux, Hairspray, Swan Lake, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip and hopefully much, much more.

Delphic (support: Mirrors)

Well, Sunday I went spinning in the end. Lovely evening. Couldn't find my sock poi though, and the tube poi I was using gave my fingers blisters 8-(. On the very plus side, I think I can manage an oscillating three-beat weave non-turning turn. We also discussed what we would do to replace Play. Looks like I'm going to Shell Island. Wahhay - it's something!

Monday was nothing unusual but I include it here for completeness.

Well, yesterday was interesting. To recap, Tuesday was my operation, Wednesday and Thursday I had off work to recover and included naps in the afternoon. Friday I went swimming and had a day at work before coming home and lying down (but not quite napping). Saturday was to consist of going to Alton Towers in the day and then a James gig in the evening on my own (or Andrew's Evening Stag Doo, or visiting friends). So a very full day with no real chance to rest.

So, Glastonbury failed to set records for the speed at which it sold tickets. Michael Eavis has come out and said that it's because the weather has been crap and people are confused by the pre-registration system. The weather being crap has never been a problem before has it? And as for the pre-registration system - did we not have that last year and still sell out in minutes??

In which our tender hero, penwing, describes his time under the knife and it's aftermath.

Again, this video is potentially NSFW...

Next Saturday (12th April) James are playing a gig at Liverpool University (Not the Echo Arena as previously mistakenly put earlier). I have two tickets. Unfortunately, this clashes with a friend's stag doo. I will be attending some of the stag doo, but not the evening stuff as I am skint and not a fan of "nights on the town". The person who was coming with me has decided to pull out though so I have a spare standing ticket, face price of £29.50.If you're interested, please contact me.

So, I just got back from the Nightwish Gig which I twittered a bit about. Things I have learnt include:

• Make sure you know the songs befgore you go to the gig - don't rely on one evenings worth of listening

So, last night, Wendy and I went to a gig in Manchester. Well, we went for two of the support acts to be honest. Exile Parade and The 66 - both Warrington bands I have mentioned before and will continue to relentlessly force down your lug-holes.

Exile Parade seem to be heading towards biggish things with one of their songs being used in Skins, a large American following and a single coming out. In Germany. I hope they do OK.