davidrickard.net

Random stuff, randomly updated.

Archive for February, 2007

Duke Special

Thursday, February 22nd, 2007

Really – he is.

I saw Duke Special today with my mate Luke at the Oxford Zodiac. It was a truly great gig. He commented himself on how he was really enjoying playing, and to be honest it showed. It was the last gig of quite a long tour that has taken them all over the country, to various smaller venues.

I’d not been to the Zodiac before, but it’s quite an intimate venue, with a small, low stage, so you’re pretty close to the band no matter where you stand. The music was excellent, most of the songs being from the latest album, with a few other randoms thrown in for good measure.

The band were having fun, messing about a bit (even screwing up now and then, but they breezed through it like the professionals they are) and just being thoroughly entertaining. The most surprising part of the whole evening being when the band decided, seemingly on the fly, to come and stand down with the crowd and play unplugged. It was a surprise – a nice one at that – and really ended the evening nicely.

I’ll certainly be looking out for the next Duke Special gig!

Posted in General, Music | Comments Off

Shoe got a problem?

Sunday, February 11th, 2007

Some time ago I had something of a saga trying to find a new pair of shoes. I’m a size 12, which admittedly puts me into the less mainstream size. I was looking for a particular type of shoe though; these were for work, and I like something plain yet sturdy. I always look for something quite plain, rounded, and black.

I looked high and low, and didn’t really find much. I ended up going all the way over to Milton Keynes to get a pair in the Barrats there. It’s now about six months later, and I’m looking for a new pair!

The heels seem to have gone on this pair, and it’s not something I think could be repaired. I’ve been having another little scout about, and it has occurred to me that there is a great disparity between shoe retailers. Broadly speaking, there’s two types:

  • Expensive and niche. They’ll last, but they cost a damn fortune.
  • High Street retailers selling VERY cheap, mass-produced shoes that last about a month.

I’m not being snobby about the High Street retailers. Their shoes are made to a price, and unfortunately, £20 doesn’t get you much in the way of quality these days. I had a look at some in ShoeZone and found they were just badly made, and really didn’t look like they’d last for very long at all. Brantano show some on their website I like the look of, only they don’t have them in store! They had a pair of Clarks shoes, although the soles on them were abysmal – I could see myself falling over pretty quickly, especially in ice.

I’m toying with the notion of something more in a trainer instead. If they’re black, it’d probably be OK. I might go have another look today; if I can really be bothered, that is.

Posted in General | Comments Off