Finish your dissertation, be almost at the end of your seventh (non-consecutive) year at university and jump for joy - Fun thing #1000

I never, ever, ever have to look at another press release from any member of the Scooby-Doo cast of villainy that made up the Bush administration, ever, every again. Having finished my masterpiece to the diabolic consequences of the phrase "enemy combatant"* I have wine, I have good music and fine times. I lack a pair of strong hands to administer a well deserved shoulder rub, but you can't have it all.

Did I mention I'm happy? I'd fly a kite if I had one!

Here's the soundtrack to the writing nightmare:

• The Shortwave Set - Sun Machine
• Cerys Matthews - Chardonnay
• Frank Sinatra - When You're Smiling

*You might think it pointless but you'd be surprised, or bored if you got me started on it.

Music Review - Swooning over Josh Ritter

Today I'm in a sentimental mood. I've also been checking the play-count of my iPod where one artist consistently out performs everyone else - so in his honour I'm going to wax lyrical about Josh Ritter; the throaty, achingly talented, smiley, wry and utterly charming singer-songwriter from Moscow, Idaho.

Not just smiley but sharp suited too!

Reasons to adore Josh; songs constructed like fine tapestries filigreed with gold, compassionate lyrics that flit between a simple love-song one minute and a grand theme the next. And he probably sweats poetry. The only time I saw him live (Fiddler's in Bristol) he held the door open for my clueless date, but what's more he's so well mannered that his own website allows you to stream all of his albums and download a plenty of tracks. I'm waiting for his next UK tour so I can work out how to meet and marry him.

There are five studio albums to his name; a self titled debut, recently re-released Golden Age of Radio, utterly charming Snow is Gone, The Animal Years and the rather different Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter. Each goes from strength to strength; there's a melodious cascade of sound surrounding this humble balladeer who troups the plains not only with guitar, but flamboyant schemes and wry smile.

The step to grander orchestrations does not detract from the sincerity of the songs, which I think is the most pretentious thing I've ever written, but if Mr Ritter is to be described in a nutshell then it has to be sincere - it's why his charm is so compelling. The latest album flaunts Josh's brazen ability to make large bands and diverse influences a comfortable part of his traditionally folky repertoire, so much so you'll be wondering why more artists don't have horn sections. Well, maybe not, but it is pulled off admirably in the Historical Conquests.

Josh's songs have gained a fair bit of critical applause for their wordsmithery, from the 9 minute epic and revelatory 'Thin Blue Flame' to the slightly cynical prom-night sentimentality of 'Kathleen', a truly beautiful song that cannily disguises teenage hormones and the desire for a night with an untouchable girl, especially when a perfect night is all it is ever intended to be.... Excuse me, I'm just sighing to myself.

Here's a selection anyway, including the humorous 'Stuck on You', which just about broke my heart when my iPod shuffled it into play as I sat on a train station bench, dumped, drizzled on and in Doncaster - damn all heart-wrecking physics teacher ex boyfriends.

• Kathleen, Snow is Gone
• Rumours, Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
• Thin Blue Flame, The Animal Years
• Stuck on You, Josh Ritter

Music Review - The Blims (aka Fun Things to do in Bridgend)

Every town has a pub band that's been doing the rounds for a while. In Bridgend it's the unfortunately titled 'The Blims', proof that the naming of bands is a dying art. Many a new year, summers day or random weekend will have been soundtracked by the boys own brand of mellow harmonising pop.

Unlike Bridgend the Blims are sunny, irreverent and likable - they're the South Wales version of The Monkees. Performances are always packed as they're friendly folk who encourage an entourage. The latest gig at the snug Star pub was was no exception.

So that's what I was doing last night; part of the crowd at the bar, trying to work out what hadn't been sold out (hard drinking fans went through all the soft drinks). Cider retrieved, cider spilled through jostling and elbowing the Bridgend version of the beautiful people - (coke-addled gentry princesses; sort of orange, chunky expensive necklaces and very blow-dried hair, usually paired with surfy, likewise blow-dried, check-shirted chaps). I ended up sitting in a fireplace, grateful for the space (geddit), marvelling at how much the band has developed over the years.

Live you can't beat 'em; it's always a good show with a bit of a knees up as befits a veteran pub band. There's also two self produced albums to their name (available on iTunes) and though these sadly don't sound quite as polished there's some gleaming potential on the latest 'Working Class Poetry', particularly 'She Said', 'What I Really Want' and the standout 'Four Letter Word'. Lyrical sources of inspiration are far from profound - friends, family and bumming around in a band when maybe you might be a bit too old for it, sing-a-long potential is high nonetheless.

'Working Class Poetry', although riddled with local references and cheeky asides to friends, is worth a go; easy summer pop that perfectly compliments beers on the beach and laughing with your mates.

Oh and they still don't like Gavin Henson much.....

Deadlines Loom Like Fogbound Cows.

Ah, the Easter 'holiday'. At first the days lose meaning because there are so many of them to come and it's sunny, there are friends to visit; then the realisation of finishing the dissertation hits you like a brick made of cow pats. You find yourself waking up at four in the morning clutching your chest, seeing words fly around the inside of your eyelids and every now and again when in normal conversation with someone who actually has a real life, you find yourself drifting off into your own world of re-phrasing, and the panic of re-drafting hits. If you type it, it will be done.

Much wine will soon be spilled in merriment, but before that happens here's a few non-holiday songs ...

• Long Pigs - Lost Myself

• Dawn Landes - Private Little Hell

• Funkadelic - Can You Get to That