50/50 Winner

I agree, Haarlem is a lot quieter and isn't as seedy as Amsterdam. I always take the train through for a wander around when I'm over.

Haarlem is a great place, only 20 minutes on the train from Amsterdam Centraal. Did you see the organ at Grote Kerk? It's nearly 300 years old and was played by Mozart. Highly recommend Birdy coffeeshop for anyone visiting Haarlem. They have 'Jelly hash' on their menu and it's by far the strongest I've ever smoked. A few years ago, I went over with Mrs 50/50 Winner as I had tickets to see Jools Holland at the Paradiso. She doesn't smoke so had a space cake before we left the hotel. It took about half an hour to walk there and she became very quiet. She said she was fine so we went in. After two songs, she advised that she had to leave right away. She was on a whitey and I had to put her to bed. The two songs cost me £30 each. Gutted.

I'd avoid edibles and pre rolled joints, you don't know how much (or how little) is in it. I would also avoid the tourist trap places (Bulldog, Hunters, Barneys) and stick to the better coffeeshops (Voyagers, Utopia, 1e Hulp, Kadinsky, Siberie, Paradox). The Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory forum is a good source of information and there's a section when you can view current menus. Ask to see the weed or hash before you buy it. Also, avoid 'moonrocks' (basically a bud dipped in hash oil and coated with Kief) they are priced around 40€ a gram and although I've never tried one, the general consensus is that they are a massive waste of money. On that topic, there's a recent trend of some coffeeshops selling 'Cali' weed for the eye watering price of 60€ a gram. F**k that. I'm heading over in 3 weeks and can't wait, it'll be my 10th time visiting and we have booked a house boat in Amsterdam Noord.

Gomez at the Barrowlands in April, followed by Focus Wales in May and just bought tickets for Beach House in Manchester in October.

Yeah, I'm pretty much in the same situation.

It's a tough one, my eldest is nearly 16 and I'm regularly crashed out before him (especially if working early shifts). I was the same at his age, although, the difference being I was out with my mates and not sat around the house. I'd be out until 11:30pm or so then back home, sleep until midday, couple of bacon rolls, go to the Rovers game with my old man, have tea then go out again. I suppose it's just a different time now and short of taking the computer and mobile out his room each night, there's not much else I can do. In some respects, it's easier when they are wee, nightly routines can be followed but that's not really enforceable when they are teenagers. However, I do not miss having to get up early and endure mindnumbing inane kids TV programs.

At least you can put them to bed at 7-8pm and the rest of the evening is your own. Having teenage sons who stay up late at the weekends (after sleeping until around lunchtime) is a nightmare at times.

Aye, that was my thought process.

I'm not sure man, still getting my head round the conversation rate. Made amends the night though, 7% beer no less.

I'm in Iceland at the moment and bought six tins of this stuff thinking it was beer. Turns out it isn't beer but some non alcoholic orangeade and malt drink. Raging!

Cheers for the heads up man, just got tickets and it's on my birthday!

Just got tickets from the Gomez 20th anniversary tour of 'Bring It On' at the Barrowlands next April. Also, taking my eldest son to the Joey Badass gig in Edinburgh tonight.

I'll just leave this here.

This has reminded me of a guy who used to sit beside my Dad and I when we had season tickets for the railway stand in the mid 90's. He was a skinny ferret looking chap and I recall he used to shout 'Samba' to Tony Rougier when he was playing well but changed the last letter to an 'o' when he made a mistake. Anyway, we (thankfully) hadn't seen him at games for a while and thought he had perhaps moved away from the area. An article appeared in the FFP a while later accompanied by a picture of the guy stating that he was banned from Kirkcaldy due to hanging around the student nurses accommodation at the Vic.

My next few gigs are - Portugal. The Man in Manchester in September. Birdcloud in Edinburgh also for September and Joey Bada$$ in October.

My money is on the guy in the blue shirt, it appears 'Macho Man' is giving him a hand in that picture. Also, out of curiosity, can you actually buy t-shirts like that or did he alter the garment at home?

Cargo shorts.

I've got Bill Ryder-Jones in Aberdeen next month and Radiohead in July. I've also just bought a ticket (£16) for Portugal. The Man in September. They are easily one of the best bands around.

You! Me! Dancing! - Los Campesinos

Good to see Parker getting a well earned night out. No surprises Thom Yorke is wasted again.