Revved Up

I've just found out the line-up of bands playing at the Godival Festival in Coventry between 14-16 July. It includes Nizlopi (of 'JCB Song' fame), the Cooper Temple Clause and one of my favourite bands, Mercury Rev. They're playing at 9.10 pm on Saturday 12th. It's great being able to see such a great band on my own doorstep, and for free as well!

The festival's Rhythm Tent also plays host to Dawn Penn, most famous in the UK for her 1994 hit 'You Don't Love Me (No, No, No),' which I recall everyone at school hating except me.

For more info on the festival, click on the below link.

http://www.godivafestival.co.uk/index.asp?page=3

Bursting the Bubble

Liverpool 3 - 3 West Ham (aet). It was a classic cup final, and certainly the best I've seen since the 1987 final (okay, I'm biased, being a Coventry City fan). West Ham were desperately unlucky and arguably deserved to win the game. Of course, it was all down to one man: Steven Gerrard. West Ham manager Alan Pardew said in an interview with Jonathan Pearce before the game that West Ham would be favourites if they had Steven Gerrard. His dramatic injury time-equaliser was one of the sweetest strikes to adorn any FA Cup Final and from that point onwards, you just knew that Liverpool were going to snatch it. And despite West Ham missing a golden chance in extra time, the dreaded penalties beckoned. Penalty shoot-outs always guarantee chronic nail-biting (especially if you're English) and although I don't support either Liverpool or West Ham, I did want the underdogs to win it, if only to break the FA Cup dominance of the four big clubs. Sadly, it was not to be West Ham's day.

As for Gerrard, pundits are pushing the idea of Sven playing him in a more advanced role in the World Cup. Well, if he can knock in a couple like he did on Saturday, I would certainly advocate that strategy.

Beware Of The Dogma

I had a visit from a group of Jehovah's Witnesses this morning. I wouldn't have normally opened the door to them but I thought it was the milkman calling for his money. Now although I'm a fervent atheist, I still respect the rights of others to believe in whatever creed or religion they wish, providing it doesn't threaten the civil liberties or human rights of others. I'm not saying being pestered on the doorstep contravenes my human rights or anything, but I don't take kindly to being preached to. Indeed, I'm sure they wouldn't like it if I turned the tables on them, and started quoting Friedrich Nietzsche and declaring 'religion is dead.' Not wishing to get into a theological debate on the doorstep, and with my laundry to do, I politely said I wasn't interested. As they went away, I felt a twinge of sympathy for them. They obviously hold a passionate belief and it must take great conviction to have a succession of people shut their doors in your face. Then something else crossed my mind: why is it only Jehovah's Witnesses who do house visits? I mean, you never see Rastafarians on your doorstep, telling you to 'reject the ire of Babylon,' do you?

"Personal Visit - Do Not Ignore"

That was what was written on the envelope that greeted me on my arrival home yesterday. I looked at it with apprehension, until I realised that it was addressed to a Mr D Bournville, a previous tenant. The letter was from the local Debt Management section of the HM Revenue & Customs. Apparently Mr Bournville has been lax in paying his tax: £5411.09 to be precise. This final reminder was obviously delivered by the bailiff. The letter threatened to "levy distraint on [his] goods," which I found quite worrying. They could have removed all of my stuff while I was at work!

I've just phoned up the Debt Management Office to clarify the situation so everything's sorted out now. This little episode has put into perspective how paltry my debt problems are compared to others.