The New Girl In Our Class

The new girl in our class is sitting at the desk right next to mine. Her hair is fair and falls quite neatly onto her shoulders while her skin is quite white with perhaps the merest hint of pink; the glow of her rose red cheeks. Her arms are stretched across her desk and her hands are holding onto the front of it. Her legs are tucked under her chair as she leans forward.

I feel she knows I am looking at her. The merest hint of a sideways glance and I face the front. Suddenly an eraser bounces in my direction. I bend down to pick it up and find that she has already gone for it herself.

'Thank you' she says as I hand it over to her. It was hard paying attention to the lesson after that. I couldn't wait for break to be called so I could talk to her. Well, break did come and in the rush to the door I lost sight of the new girl in our class.

As I walked out of the classroom my eyes were suddenly blinkered by two slightly warm hands. 'Guess who?' came the voice. 'I'm sorry but I don't know your name!', I replied, 'I missed the register being called!' My eyes were uncovered at once and I turned round only to find she had gone.

Sunday Best

Monday I stayed in for most of the day. Picked up fish and chips frozen meal from Iceland and watched some of my recently purchased Blondie Live '99 DVD. When I got to the Egg Alex was there with his friend Claire. Later we were joined by Elly. Show went OK featuring amongst others Amanda, Bombshell, Bryn, Ben, Brian, Ron, Helen, Tim, Adam, Moon Ryder, Hannah, Si and Albert. Also in attendance was Dead Goods co-ordinator Sarah McLennan who was there to support her friend Alison. It was a bit boistrous at times but there were some lovely ladies and it was great to have John Holmes there. No, not that one!

Tuesday I received an e-mail from Knowsley Community Radio saying they'd be happy to have me for a placement. Went to meet Elly, Alex, Colin and Di at Birkenhead shopping centre. While there saw Michelle from Wirral Odes and Joey from Network Theatre. We then went to see Blades Of Glory for Elly's birthday treat. After this we went to Cappucino's for a drink. Me and Alex had a hot chocolate. On the way home the girls wanted to look round Primark while we stood there looking like a pair of lemons. At the band meeting we listened to a tres good version of There's A Ghost In My House recorded last Saturday and Baz gave me a recording of Genesis 6 Of The Best from 1982. Sadly while we talked I received a text from Marti telling me our good friend Daz had died. I never met him but we remained in touch via e-mail on the collapse of The Creatures forum. He was a wonderful person and I'll miss his kind words.

Wednesday I picked up Clash related NME which was full of the usual overrated claptrap I've been used to since Joe Strummer's death. A great band but totally unimportant. Went to see Simon about my work placement but couldn't get hold of KCR by phone. After leaving Terri's lesson which was aimed at the full timers I e-mailed Hywel Evans who said he could organise my placement for mid July. Later I saw Jamie and his friend Paul and we got the bus home.

Thursday at college there was only me and Di in from the Scoobies. Again we worked on our websites which I had a few problems with but once I got into the swing of things I designed several more pages dedicated to Gong, Steve Hillage and Egg. Tonight's Wirral Ode Show saw us digging out our favourite poets. Aaron chose himself. Got a cuddle from Mo then went home.

Friday I wrote to NME about their risible Clash article. Although I enjoyed it it was cliche city and there was much contradiction. Went to meet band in Egg but Kayleigh didn't show. Decided to rehearse Tuesday nevertheless so long as we get rehearsal space. Also saw Delia who looked more beautiful than ever. She has an art exhibition coming up soon. Went to see Alex Moseley later who played me all his recent CD purchases including MC5 and Motorhead.

Saturday was a bit of a bore cos I didn't have much to do. Went to market after which it bucketed down. At home watched Doctor Who which was a bit more enjoyable for a change. A two week break probably did it some good. Aaron phoned to talk about it and also about the 7 Ages Of Rock show that had been on. Alex phoned trying to reach some agreement on rehearsals etc. Thing is we don't know whether we've got the room for Tuesday and for how long we have Kayleigh as she's working that day. Went to bed with much to ponder on.

The Best Of Berlin 1979-1988

One of my favourite compilation albums has to be The Best Of Berlin 1979-1988. If ever an album could said to sum up the career of a band it's this one. The record starts with a previously unreleased recording Blowin' Sky High which I presume was from the Count 3 & Pray sessions as it bears all the hallmarks of that era of the band. It certainly is an explosive way to start such a mouthwatering selection. Next up is the big US hit More Than Words from the album Love Life(1984) which was the first recording the band made with Giorgio Moroder. It probably is the song that was the band's first stepping stone to worldwide success. Like Flames from Count 3 & Pray(1986) was sadly a minor hit in the UK but it has a really catchy melody all the same. Its sister single Take My Breath Away(written and produced by Giorgio Moroder) will always be the record that Berlin are remembered for but at least its more memorable than the film it comes from Top Gun. The calling card of Berlin in the early days was S.E.X.(I'm A...) from their mini album Pleasure Victim(1982). Now It's My Turn also from Love Life was a Stateside single. Masquerade is a bouncy little single from Pleasure Victim which was actually a cover while You Don't Know was the best single they ever released in my opinion that appeared on Count 3 & Pray. Debut single Matter Of Time from 1979 was re-recorded by the band after Terri's initial departure from the band but thankfully it's her vocal here. It shows the electronic roots of the band that gave way to a more rock orientated outfit later on. The Metro from their mini album is perhaps the band's theme tune and is representative of them more than any other song. Will I Ever Understand You is Count 3 & Pray's album opener and to end this collection we have a re-recording of All Tomorrow's Lies from Love Life which from its piano intro onwards is an improvement on the original. If you want to get to know Berlin for anything other than Take My Breath Away I recommend you order a copy of The Best Of Berlin straight away. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.