Back from Vienna

Just got home from the World Stroke Congress in Vienna. It was basically a massive conference of 3000 experts in stroke from around the world. I'd never been to one of these things before but I had a great time. I met doctors from all over the world. I learned a wee bit and I met lots of cool people.

I'd spent a day in Vienna about 20 years ago. I remember visiting the Mozart house and little else. I had more time to soak up the atmosphere of the city this time but I probably spent too much time working.

I did eat in a restraunt in a cellar that was built in the 15th century. I had goulash. I visited the Leopold Museum and looked at some paintings by Gustav Klimt which was cool. Bought a couple of art books. Probably spent too much money.

My hotel was in a dodgy area. It was near a cannabis growing shop and a couple of porn shops. I was shitting myself walking back to the hotel every night but I didn't have any trouble. I was totally ashamed of my lack of language ability but everyone was really friendly and helpful. The local underground system was good too.

I don't really like flying and this was the first time that I had been on a plane for about ten years. I survived which was good. Still don't like planes but the whole trip was a small victory.

Probably bedtime now.

Live sets at Amoeba Records

Amoeba Records is a big record shop in San Francisico. They host a lot of instore shows by bands like No Age, The Shins, TV on the Radio and Flipper. Some of these shows are released on CD.

They have a library of streamed video of some of these shows on their web site.

Check out the No Age show. I have tickets to see them at the Glasgow Art School next month and I can't wait.

http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/videos/no-age.html

Butthole Surfers live CDs

A kind soul has just made me aware of the existence of a live CD from the recent Butthole Surfers UK tour. I've just bought one.

see
http://buttholesurfers.dloadshop.com/

Butthole Surfers in Glasgow

Fast week

In the past week I've turned 31 and bought a flat. I have two weddings to go to this month and a work trip to vienna.

All good.

Metallica free stuff

I used to be a big fan of metallica when I was a kid. '...and justice for all' and 'master of puppets' were two of the first tapes I ever bought and 'ride the lightening' was the first CD I bought.

I went off them with the black album.. I thought they sold out. I don't really listen to them much now but I heard a bit of the new album in Fopp today and it sounded good. I decided to check out their website and I found something cool. They have a section where you can download entire concerts for free. This is great considering their previous anti-download stance.

See www.metallica.com for more

A snowball in hell by Christopher Brookmyre

This is the latest book by Christopher Brookmyre. I've read everything he's published and I love most of it. Having said that I took about a week to read this one and I would usually get through a Brookmyre book in 2 days (instead of eating, sleeping or socializing) so this is not his best. It's still entertaining.

Brookmyre brings back a few of his favourite characters for a greatest hits set. It has a few good riffs on celebrity and reality TV but nothing is amazingly new. I still worship at his feet but start with another book if you are a new reader. A tale etched in blood and hard back pencil is a good place to start.

see www.brookmyre.co.uk for more

31 is worse than 30

fuck me it's true.

6 days.

I'm fucking scared