MemberD's diary

1980

 * 01 March 1980, Sat. bought ELO's Greatest Hits LP (in Hereford).


 * 16 April 1980, Tuesday bought John Foxx - No-One Driving 2 x 7" single gatefold sleeve.
 * 07 May, Wednesday - Borrowed Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
 * 08 May, Thursday, bought the 7" of 'Cars' by Gary Numan "and I'm playing it at every possible moment". TOTP was ace - Human League and OMD.
 * 16 May. Friday - last day at QE Secondary School.
 * 20 May, Tuesday Second day of revision for O levels.
 * 27 May, Tuesday Went to Worcester and bought We Are Glass from The Listening Inn (?). It went down in the charts.
 * 02 July, Wed. Watched The Big Time with Sheena Easton, " ..liked the recording bit the best."
 * 05 June, Thursday French dictation and Paper 1 (no TOTP)
 * 10 July, Thursday. Bought NME and Smash Hits 
 * 12 July, Saturday Bought radio cassette recorder Bought NME and Smash Hits (Human League in both - see also 10 July 1980)
 * 16 July, Wed. Last day of strawberry picking, heard Empire State Human on the rado again, put Human League poster on ceiling.
 * 19 July 1980, Saturday Bought Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark LP, plus The Human League - Holiday '80/Rock 'n' Roll and Empire State Human 7" singles.
 * 02 August, Saturday. Week's holiday begins in Bude, Cornwall.
 * 18 August, Mon. Missed half of a Human League session but got Crow and a Baby on tape.
 * 21 August, Thurs. Got O level results
 * 04 September 1980, Thursday First day at Hereford Sixth Form College (introductory course only).
 * 05 September 1980: Bought Smash Hits and NME "which I've now read to death" (see 04 September 1980)
 * 06 September 1980, Saturday "Gary Numan Day". - see record purchases below and 'up in the early hours of the morning taping a 45 min. (Numan) interview'. Bought Telekon LP and I Die: You Die 7" in Hereford. The LP, which also included a free two-track 7" live EP, had just been released, while the single was at no. 6 in the charts. This was my fourth Gary Numan single purchase, and second picture sleeve. The B side of the single is an excellent piano version of the Tubeway Army track 'Down in the Park'. I've often doubted as to whether this was actually played by Numan himself or by D. Haines who is credited with piano playing for the A side. Bought NME. Went to a cèilidh at night at Whitbourne Hall.


 * 23 September, Tues.: Butterflies and Not the 9 O'clock News were both ace.
 * 03 November, Monday: Bought Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Organisation LP (with free 7" EP)
 * 20 November, Thurs.: read NME article on OMD by Paul Morley. (see 22 November 1980)
 * 20 December, Sat.: Saw Gary Numan on OGWT - good, also saw funny Carry On Behind.
 * 22 December, Mon., just managed to tape strange session version of Motion and Heart - brill.

1981

 * 06 June 1981, Saturday Bought The Human League - Travelogue (LP)
 * 03 August 1981, Monday. Bought The Human League - Hard Times / Love Action (I Believe in Love) (12")
 * 21 September 1981, Monday - Peel plays Systems of Romance from John Foxx's new album The Garden - taped it.
 * 27 September 1981, Sunday - taped songs off Top 40. Heard OMD - Joan of Arc (new single) for first time.

1982

 * 08 May 1982, Saturday - Ceilidh at Whitbourne Village Hall; record collection update (see pic).
 * 11 May 1982, Tuesday - Play: 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle' by B. Brecht at Nell Gwynne Theatre, Hereford.
 * 20 May 1982 - Bought New Order - Temptation (7"), Hereford
 * July-August - working in Flims Waldhaus, Switzerland.
 * September - visited Mike in Bury, Lancs.
 * September (late) - started at University of Lancaster.
 * 02 October - Elvis Costello & the Attractions - live, Great Hall, Univ. Lancaster (Freshers Week)
 * 06 November - Japan live, Great Hall Lancaster University

1983

 * 05 January, Wednesday - bought Hello I Must Be Going by Phil Collins (cassette, Malv.)
 * 12 January - bought Kraftwerk Computer World (cass. + KW poster?)
 * 15 January, Saturday attended Bunnymen concert. "Very atmospheric with smoke and 'monk' music at the beginning and the rest was ace".
 * 19 January: Bought Yazoo - The Other Side of Love (12"), Depeche Mode - The Meaning of Love (12"), Gary Numan - Music for Chameleons (12") from 'Ear 'Ere, Lancaster.
 * 12 February: Disco at The Falcon
 * 16 February, Wed. Bought Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough (12"), New Order - Procession / Everything's Gone Green (7") from 'Ear 'Ere, Lancaster. Bought Smash Hits - OMD cover.
 * 19 February - bought new music centre (£100), plus Genetic Engineering 12" and Get the Balance Right 12"
 * 20 February - Eurythmics live, Lancaster Sugarhouse
 * 02 March - saw Airplane II at cinema, bought Dazzle Ships LP, went to U2 concert.
 * 04 March, Fri. - John Peel Roadshow, Sugar House, Lancaster. (requested OMD Electricity)
 * 05 March, Sat. - bought 7" Mad World (Tears For Fears) and 7" Christian (China Crisis)
 * 11 March, Fri. - bought Genesis Duke cassette (Lanc.)
 * 12 March, Sat. - bought 'Love Action' 12" (Lanc.)
 * 14 March - probably the night I just managed to record OMD - Bunker Soldiers, 1983 session version, off the John Peel show. I remember it was the last one in the session broadcast that night - I'd missed the rest. (full show has just come to light, July 2022 - over 39 years in the future)
 * 22 March, Tue. - bought Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough (12") and New Order - Blue Monday (12"). Bought a new camera in Boots (£25.00).
 * 08 April, Fri - Sovreign's Parade, Sandhurst
 * 14 April, Thursday. bought OMD Messages (10") and Telegraph (7") (Worc.).
 * 20 April, Wed. - started taking driving lessons (again) (Lanc.)
 * 14 May, Saturday - * Bought OMD - Red Frame / White Light (7"), second hand
 * 19 May, Thurs. - China Crisis live, Lancaster Sugarhouse
 * 23 June, Thurs - Passed my driving test. Heysham, Lancs. 4.15 pm
 * 28 June, Tues - Bought Heaven 17 - The Luxury Gap (LP), Joy Division - Transmission (7")
 * 23 July, Saturday. Bought Joy Division - Closer
 * 30 July, Saturday - bought Depeche Mode - Everything Counts (In Larger Amounts) 12" (M&D on hols, staying at S&R's, swimming with S&R, S, S & C in Malvern, stayed at S&D's tonight).
 * 06 August, Saturday - Bought Cabaret Voltaire - The Crackdown (M&D back from holidays)
 * 27 August, Saturday. Bought Construction Time Again (LP), Bought Catcher in the Rye (paperback), watched Ultravox & Genesis concerts on TV (see page).
 * 31 August 1983: last day of work; went to see Hereford v. Portsmouth.
 * 06 September 1983, Tuesday. Went on holiday to Germany with cousin P. Flew from Heathrow Airport to Zuerich. Stayed at Susanne's.
 * 08 September 1983, Thurs., in Freiburg
 * 18 September 1983, Sunday: Returned home from short holiday in Germany.
 * 22 September 1983, Thursday. travelled to Edinburgh to visit Mike L (until Wednesday 28 September)
 * 24 September 1983, Saturday: 22 hour marathon around Scotland on special train ticket: Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Isle of Skye, Aberdeen.
 * 13 October, Thurs.: Concert: Basking Sharks at Lancaster Sugar House.
 * 14 October, Fri.: Paul Young concert at Great Hall, Lancaster Univ.
 * 20 October, Thurs: Concert, Gary Numan at Blackpool Opera House
 * 20 October, Thurs: Concert, Gary Numan at Blackpool Opera House

1984

 * 25 September 1984: Flew to Bologna, Italy to start my year abroad.
 * 26 September 1984, Wednesday. Arrived in Ferrara, Italy where I would spend the first semester of my year abroad.
 * 27 November 1984: went to Depeche Mode concert at Teatro Tenda, Bologna, Italy. Support: MAtt Fretton.

1985

 * 03 January: Flew from Gatwick to Bologna then by car to Ferrara
 * 23 January: Film at cinema: Falsche Bewegung/Falso Movimento (dir. Wim Wenders, 1975)
 * 05 February: Went (with Chris & M.) to see U2 play live at the Teatro Tenda in Bologna as part of the Unforgettable Fire tour and U2's first concert in Italy. This was the second time that I had seen them play live, the first being at Lancaster University eleven months earlier on 02 March 1984 on the War tour. (Audience bootleg recording on youtube)


 * 08 April (Easter Monday): Caught overnight train to Luxembourg and then on to Germany.
 * 09 April (Tuesday): Arrived in Trier, Germany.
 * 20 April (Sat.) Trip to Cochem with CS. on train. Hired bikes.
 * 20 May, Monday - Bought China Crisis - Flaunt The Imperfection (cassette) in Trier.
 * 24 June, Mon. China Crisis live concert in Bologna, Italy
 * 28 June - Bought OMD - Crush (cassette) in Trier

1986

 * 08 July 1986, Tuesday. Graduation ceremony at Lancaster University

1988

 * 02 July, Sat. - got married

1989

 * 16 October, Mon. - started German for Commerce course
 * 14 December, Mon. - finished course

1990

 * 08 February 1990 - travelled from BLQ to LHR BA593 1355-1510
 * 18 February 1990 - travelled LHR to BLQ BA592 1000-1305
 * 28 April 1990, Saturday . Bought ABC - Up! (cassette)
 * 23 May 1990 - saw film When Harry Met Sally
 * 16 June 1990, Sat: bought Scritti Politti - Provision (LP) and OMD We Love You 12"
 * 23 June, Sat: Enjoy the Silence / World in Motion compilation tape.
 * 16 September, Sun.: holidays Punta Ala (until 23 Sept.)
 * 05 December, Wed: flight to LHR
 * 16 December, Sun.: back to Italy
 * 17 December, Mon.: started new job at IJ

1992

 * 25 June 1992, Thursday - David Sylvian, Robert Fripp concert.

1993

 * 20 July. Tues.

1995

 * 10 August 1995: in Manchester. Bought Blue Monday 95 CD single.
 * 19 August 1995, Saturday: in London. Bought (the best of) NewOrder cassette (Victoria Station Our Price, £10.99)

1997

 * 03 March 1997 (Mon.) - bought OMD Universal (CDS), China Crisis - Acoustically Yours (CD)
 * 08 March 1997 (Sat.) - bought PSB - Discoteca CDS1
 * 18 April 1997 (Fri) - bought Depeche Mode - Ultra (MC), Barrel of a Gun (CD2)
 * 02 May 1997 (Fri.) bought new video and TV
 * 26 June 1997 (Thu.) - bought Depeche Mode - Home (2xCDS), It's No Good (CD BONG 26), OMD - Universals (CDS2 - with King of Stone/Loud & Clear live)
 * 30 July 1997 (Wed.) - Bromyard, (until Sun. 10 August)
 * 07 November 1997 (Fri.) - started Internet course

2002

 * 21 June - Oasis gig, Nonantola, Italy

2004

 * Feb.: 40th birthday - family holiday to Egypt

2005

 * 08 August 2005 (Mon.) - car accident, in hospital.

2006

 * Fly to Palma de Mallorca (until 25 June 2006)

2007

 * 15 March 2007 start new job at U.

2009

 * 24 February - Oasis gig, Florence, Italy
 * 23 April - VE-NYC JFK
 * 27 April - JFK - VEN (28 April)
 * 02 June - joined Facebook
 * 27 June - VE-Bristol
 * 29 June - Bristol-Venice
 * 04 November - R. Sakamoto, Playing the Piano (FE, Teatro Comunale)

2010

 * 06 April, Tuesday. Return to Venice from UK (Worcester to Gatwick)

2012

 * 31 March 2012 - trip to Berlin (until 03 April)
 * 27 November 2012: Eng. lang. exam (written)
 * 10 December 2012: Eng. Lit. exam in Mestre
 * 29 December 2012: M&D arrive Venice from BHX
 * 31 December 2012: Chinese rest & fireworks

2013

 * 05 January 2013: M&D return from Venice tuo BHX
 * 31 January 2013: Eng. lang esame (II), Cento
 * 25 March 2013: Eng. Lit exam, Rome
 * 28 March 2013: took delivery of Delta Machine and The Next Day
 * 28 March 2013: took delivery of Delta Machine and The Next Day

2014

 * 14 February: 50th birthday
 * 06 September: BLQ - BRS (until 09 September, BRS-BLQ)

2015

 * 16 April - graduation in Rome
 * 18 April - my graduation party
 * 21 May - travelled to Milan for a EU exam

2016

 * 20 May, - OMD - Architecture & Morality - Dazzle Ships (live Royal Albert Hall 09.05.2016) - 2xCD (arrived)


 * 16 June arrived in Fu cking, Austria
 * 03 July, Sun. - fly to Copenhagen, DK. Visit city, boat ride around the bay.
 * 04 July, Mon. - morning in Copenhagen then fly to Bergen, Norway.
 * 05 July, Tue. - criuse around Norwegina fjords, visit Flam.
 * 06 July, Wed - 11:59 train to Oslo Central
 * 07 July, Thur. - in Oslo.
 * 08 July, Fri - fly Oslo to Stockholm.
 * 09 July, Sat. In Stockholm. Visited the ABBA Museum
 * 10 July, Sun. - last day in Scandinavia. Fly back from Stockholm via Duesseldorf. Euro 2016 final.
 * 25 July Mon. - Kraftwerk live, Arena di Verona.

2017

 * 07 February - return BHX - VRN
 * 25 February, Saturday: Concert: Samuele Bersani - Teatro Geox, Padova
 * 16 June, Friday: inserted OTD template, bought (used) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (LP, 1980, black grid pink/black insert).
 * 26 July Bought New Order - NOMC15 (digital download)
 * 01 August Bought Pet Shop Boys - Nightlife - Further Listening 1996 - 2000 (2017 Remaster) (digital download)

2018

 * 03 February: trip UK, VRN -> BHX 20:50
 * 06 February: return BHX -> VRN 17:20
 * 21 April 2018: first time at Carlo Mazza for SPAL v. Roma (0:4)

2019

 * 23 January, Wed. - possibly the first time I heard Foals' Exits, played by Chris Hawkins
 * 24 February, Sun.: Concert - Tears For Fears, Kioene Arena, Padova.
 * 20 April, Sat: first away game Empoli v. SPAL
 * 14 August: family holiday to California begins, arrive San Francisco same day.
 * 21 August: arrived in Los Angeles, CA
 * 25 August: visited The Getty, travelled on to San Diego
 * 26 August: travel home from San Diego, via London following day.

2020

 * 19 March, Thurs: stayed at home from work, national lockdown already in progress
 * 02 October, Fri.: sworn in as Italian citizen.

2021

 * 08 May, Sat.: bought first Macbook Air
 * 10 May, Mon.: first anti-COVID vaccination
 * 14 June, Mon.: second anti-COVID vaccination
 * 05 July, Mon.: collected Tubular Bells II, vinyl; had car window replaced.
 * 13 December, Mon: third anti-COVID vaccination.

2022

 * 01 April, Fri.: trip to UK (VRN - BHQ), return 04 April.
 * 29 August, Mon.: tested positive for COVID-19 - 8 day self-isolation begins.
 * 31 August, Wed.: finished watching Peaky Blinders (S6) (originally broadcast on BBC 03 April)
 * 07 December: trip to UK with E. (first time from TV)

2023

 * 14 February: new laptop
 * 28 February: passed AB24 oral exam (90/100)
 * 04 May: passed AB25 oral exam (100/100)

Radio recordings

 * 28 September 2011 - Classic Albums, ABC - The Lexicon of Love.
 * 21 September 2018 - Interpol in session and conversation
 * 03 October 2018 - She Drew the Gun session.
 * 22 July 2019 - Public Service Broadcasting live at RAH

Concerts attended

 * 15 January 1983: Echo & The Bunnymen, Lancaster Uni
 * 20 February 1983: Eurythmics, Lancaster Sugarhouse
 * 19 May 1983: China Crisis at Lancaster Sugar House.
 * 14 October 1983: Paul Young, Great Hall, Lancaster Uni.
 * 20 October 1983: Gary Numan, Blackpool Opera House.
 * 27 May 1984: Ultravox, Brighton Pavilion, Brighton, UK
 * 19 August 1984 (Sun.) New Order, Gloucester Leisure Centre
 * 27 November 1984: Depeche Mode, Teatro Tenda, Italy
 * 24 June 1985: China Crisis concert, Teatro Tenda, Bologna Italy.
 * 13 April 2007: John Foxx and Louis Gordon, Auditorium Pandurera in Cento, Italy.
 * 18 October 2008: John Foxx and Louis Gordon in Marghera (Venice), Italy.
 * 25 November 2009: Depeche Mode, Palamalaguti, Bologna, Italy
 * 14 April 2010: Ultravox, Vox Club, Nonantola, Italy
 * 24 February 2019: Tears For Fears, Padova