Well looks like its time again to type some thoughts and welcome you back to the Clash Blog. First time here? We don’t bite and welcome comments and suggestions to help make the site essentially an ongoing fanzine-like resource for all things Clash related. If you are a returning visitor thanks for your time and spending it with me. I still don’t have my Clash license plate…but I did visit the Motor Vehicle place today and they eventually told me not to worry as the computers and thus a cop will know I’m legal. I thought that a brave pronouncement but I guess I’ll need to trust them against my better judgement. Telling a Phoenix cop that a little old lady with a New England accent told me not to worry about my expired (non-Clash!) plate might not wash however, especially as I can’t fool anyone with my bad American accent. Whenever I do it I sound like a radio DJ about to tell you about the weather and introduce some Pearl Jam (yes…that is how all American men sound to my ears).

Speaking of accents I’m on the cusp of purchasing some software that might make my writing and therefore much of my life up to ’3 times more efficient’, no it’s not more coffee or amphetamines, but new and apparently vastly better voice recognition/dictation software that would allow me to blog just by speaking to my computer. It’s very tempting and under serious consideration as between this blog and others that I write for work I routinely bash out around 10,000 words a week and the thought of time saved is very tempting. I would like a demo of the software first as I’m concerned that my accent might not mesh well with the technology plus I’ll have to go back and fix the incorrect spelling of color, honor, tire every time I write for this blog. Another part of my decision is the fact that I intend to start another personal blog in the near future and the thought of getting free form out in a third of the time would help me no end.  Stay tuned, if you suddenly see posts 2 or 3 times a day you’ll know I’ve taken the plunge. I should also state I’m essentially an advanced hunt and peck typist so although this doesn’t take you long to read it takes me a while to type, if I could just have the page fill as quickly as I speak we’d be in for some real content on this site at last!!

I had sat down with the premise of writing briefly about Joe Strummer’s birthday later this month and also some updates worth checking upon at the Strummerville site. So why I don’t get on with that then? August 21st is the day in question and Joe would have turned 58 this year if he was still with us, which actually rubs some salt into the wound at the thought that he was but 50 when we lost him in 2000. Currently the two notable tribute events that I am aware of are in Sydney and San Francisco though I’m hoping as we get nearer the date we’ll learn of some more things that are going on. (Pete I got your email thank you and I’d love your help/ideas to chronicle the day in London). If you are associated with or aware of an event near wherever you may be please get in touch so that I can share the details with the community. Any city, any country – a celebration of Joe’s life is what is at stake. I’ll furnish more info on the aforementioned events as we get nearer to the date. On the facebook side I’ve invited (but need to remind everyone) of an event scheduled for the 21st where we ask everyone to change their facebook status for the entire day to a Joe quote or lyric of your preference. It would be nice that everyone of your facebook friends knows what you’re up to – so perhaps for example make your status:

“I’m the all night drug prowling wolf”   Joe Strummer’s Birthday Aug 21 , 1952

Please checkout the facebook page for the event via this link, your participation would be really nice. Yes I’ll remind you! Another goal I had for Joe’s Birthday was getting to 1,000 people in our facebook gang and then declaring our independence from the brutal democracies (or otherwise) that we live under. Looks like we’ll make the first goal with days to spare which is exciting to me and thanks everyone for spreading the word. I’m going to then type up some informal announcement about it and ask if the good people at Strummerville could get the information over to Joe’s widow Lucinda. Just an email or something to let her know we are collectively paying a nod to Joe/The Clash on a daily basis if she’d ever like to drop by.

Strummerville was the other point of my incessant rambling this evening as there are a lot of cool updates over on their website that I’d like to encourage you to visit. So in no special order here are some new things on tap:

The end of August always marks the Notting Hill Carnival in London and Strummerville are hosting a special party on Aug 29th at The Inn on The Green during Carnival weekend. For just 5 pounds a wristband lets you see 4 acts from 6pm on the night. Wristbands and full details via the link. The very new Strummerville documentary is set to make its television debut in the UK on Sunday Aug 22nd on SKY Arts. Full details via this link, and while we get far too many channels in the States we don’t get stuff like this in any sort of a timely fashion. Finally a second small plug for a Strummerville act ‘Rum Shebeen’ the video which we featured about a week ago. Both videos from a new double A side single are featured over on the site.

That will be me done for the evening, more tomorrow I’m sure and don’t forget to let me know if you plan something for Aug 21st. Thanks ~