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thisisUll.com, the alternative media website from Hull in England! This website is about people's lives and experiences - whoever they are - for us all to share. Every article, poem, story, review is contributed by you. Say what you feel, say it like it is. We do our best to publish everything you send to us. Please email your friends and send your stories to: contributions@thisisull.com. thisisUll.com has provided a free, independent platform for anyone and everyone to use since August 2003. The site depends on its editorial and production team who continue to toil tirelessly and without pay to bring 'Ull to you. We run on a shoestring and rely solely on advertising revenue to fund the site. Please help support thisisUll.com. We can't do it without you! Advertisers - Please check our advertising rates - Click Here Bands, promoters, venues and everybody else! Please help support us by buying a t-shirt or providing a link to thisisUll.com on your website or myspace page. Not sure how? Click here for information. * New * For an index by Featured Writers to Contributions click here. For an index to All Other Writers to Contributions click here. Enter/promote your own Event Coming Up Contributions click here its easy and FREE.

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People - An Interview With Dave Kebo By Steve Rudd
	It's funny who you bump into when you're traveling. I recently visited Istanbul, and though I was only there for a couple of weeks, the people I met were amazing. In the space of just a few days I met a firefighter from Colorado, a Mexican woman who worked for The British Embassy, a man from London who was aiming to cycle around the world ... and then a guy from LA by the name of Dave Kebo. Read more...

News, - Hundreds Protest for Gaza
	Up to 300 people supported the January 3rd demonstration from all over Hull and from across its nationalities. 'The demonstration was excellent,' said spokesman Guy Cheverton of Hull Palestine Solidarity. 'We were delighted with the turnout on Saturday. I was particularly impressed by the number of young people and families on the march.' Read more...

Poetry - Haiku By Scott Rorrison
	Trees are shimmering Under a gold fluorescent Light, city at night. Indie kids are cool We all want to be like you, Call centre fodder. Clean Yorkshire Sundays Read more...

Sports, - British Touring Car Championship - Team Sunshine.co.uk Reveals '09 BTCC Programme Photographs by Bob and Steve Knightley

	Team Sunshine.co.uk has announced that it will enter a two-car team in the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season. Martyn Bell, who competed for Arkas Racing during the 2008 season with backing from Sunshine.co.uk, will return for his fourth season in the BTCC and will be partnered by former race winner Paul O'Neill as he makes a comeback to touring cars. Read more...

Articles - Last of 2008 - The Story of www.thisisUll.com By Cilla Wykes, Editor

Well it's that time of year again; time to look back, forward and then try to get the present into focus. Instead of writing a review of 2008, I'm publishing my personal history of thisisUll.com, telling my story of the 5 years we've been here ... Throughout my life the kitchen table has been a place of immense significance. The hub of what's going on in everybody's life. It's where problems are pondered Read more...

News, - Hull calls for Ceasefire Now! Demonstration Saturday 3rd January at Queen Victoria Square Letter from Martin J Deane
	The horrendous attacks on men, women and children in Gaza demand a response from us all. Please join us for an hour this Saturday for a demonstration against the Israeli attacks on Gaza and to call for an immediate ceasefire now, as are hundreds of cities around the world. It's this Saturday 3rd January and we gather for 11am in Queen Victoria Square, central Hull. Read more...

Poetry - Period Piece iii By Terry Ireland

'twas Christmas day in the work house Time for the residents' annual treat The warden opened the kitchen door So they could smell his cooking meat Now to our more modern minds That could be thought of as cruel But he thought it added spice Read more...

Poetry - Christmas Poem By Manuro
	The defecating swordfish of inhaled time: Tinsel on the tree of standing up, With baubles like the dignified bollocks Of elastic wind-up snails that throbbed Once too often for comfort according to Father Christmas, the rich Mr. Fat Ass. Read more...

Places to Visit - Roaming Around Romania By Steve Rudd
	I was worried. It was four a.m., I was on a train bound for Bucharest, and somebody was tugging at my bed sheets from below. Coming around from a bout of deep sleep, I urged my weary eyes to focus. They were having none of it though, refusing point blank to reveal the person before me. 'Is there a problem?' I asked, hoping that a response might bowl my way in English. Read more...

Poetry - Stained Image By Chris Dawber

Pretty her, pity her, poor girl, Product of playful mankind, Wanton, wanting, needing, bleeding, A virginal slut, maligned, Who's the instigator? Is there a God? If there is, is he doing his job?    Read more...

Poetry - Good morning Hangover! By Phil Pretheroe
	Well good morning there, I'd ask how you are but I'm your hangover and I'm here like an unwanted scar! Thank me for your eyes burning, your head jumping and your stomach using the back of your tongue as a bungee that won't stop churning. Read more...

Fiction - Equus Mal-Amour By Frankie Lassut
	Every time Roger fell out with Trudy, he took it out on Selina. Saturday nights were the worst. Roger and Trudy would go out pubbing, Selina would of course stay at home, dreading the unhappy couple returning at 12.30 - 1am. It was always the same. Selina would hear them coming up the lane. "Don't you fuckin deny it! I saw the way you looked at her!" "Oh, stop being so fucking stupid! Read more...

Poetry - Most People Poems Fail By Patrick Henry For Adrian Mitchell, 1932-2008
	That kind of writing ignores most people, Who will say 'to hell with it', one voice warned, When times struck crisis through the 'Sixties: Classes and ages splitting: defence against revolt. Songs and protests over Rights of the outsiders threatened, Sparked gulfs between safe Read more...

Poetry - Saturday Sob Story By Joe Hakim

I wasn't shown enough love as a child, spent my teenage years running wild. My uncle abused me in his garden shed, all the bullies at school messed with my head. I nearly lost it when my best friend died, I haven't spoke to my dad since he went inside, Read more...

People - An Interview with Steve Steinman By Steve Rudd
	Newark-based Steve Steinman is a man of many talents. Currently touring with his spectacular show Vampires Rock, an alternative slice of musical theatre which features Classic Rock tunes such as Welcome To The Jungle, Total Eclipse of The Heart, and Poison, he's a true workhorse who lives to perform in the limelight. Read more...

Music News - Introducing The PaperShakers By Michelle Dee
	They made their debut at the Sesh 2nd December and they definitely caught my eye. The PaperShakers had brought a roomful of people with them and caused quite a stir. Certainly one of the best first gigs I've seen since I started reviewing. Expect lots more to come out of this exciting new music act. Catch them 21st December at Adelphi Hull. Read more...

Music Reviews - Saturday 6th December 08 - Love Music Hate Racism at Hull City Hall By Michelle Dee
	Saturday was going to be a busy day. I had offered my services to Arts Development Worker Stewart Baxter the driving force and helmsman behind the Hull LMHR event at the City Hall. Through hard work he had gathered support from many different groups including the local City Council to stage the LMHR event in the town centre. Read more...

Poetry - The Joy Of Realisation ... By Kerri R.
	The joy of the heart. The skip of the beat. When you realise. You can do this. The mind delays joy. And pushes forth. Doubts.     Read more...

News, - Leading Law Firm Makes Further International Move By Catherine Ackroyd
	Law firm Andrew Jackson has become an official partner to World Trade Centre Hull & Humber. The Hull-based practice, with a strong international client base, has taken space at the centre's waterfront home, Humber Quays, in order to provide a service to local and international customers. Well known for its strengths in shipping transport Read more...

Poetry - Reply to Where Is God? (by Michelle Dee) By Frankie Lassut
	God is everywhere. God gives free will. We don't understand this, because it allows souls their agendas When planes crash, sometimes people die But what if contracts were finished? Millions starve on television screens Read more...

Poetry - Colonic Irrigation By Manuro, Top Poet (based on an idea by Turduro, smelliest fan)
	Centreparcs for sweetcorn (Perfect, now scant sorcerer) I'm flushed with success (Swift schedule is much) Mushrooms from 1986 (Hhm, so rumors of 1698) Rinsed from my tubes Read more...

Food and Drink - Sleepers Café Bar By Mike Richardson
	Sleepers has always been a favourite eating place of mine so I decided to book a table for a birthday celebration. I knew it had been taken over by new management but had also heard that they had kept the same chefs, so was expecting the usual high standard of cuisine. I have to say I was pretty disappointed. We ordered at the bar as instructed, a mixture of starter and main courses. Read more...

Poetry - Winter Sports By Mike Watts

Dogs that pause To piss Up icy poles Are meat To a deadly shot Shaping slushy Cannonballs Read more...

News, - St Stephen's Scoops Top Award
	The award will be presented to store manager David Laycock by Mike Killoran, manager of Princes Quay Shopping Centre and president of Hull Civic Society. The presentation will take place on Thursday 18th December at 11.30 am in St Stephen's Shopping Centre management suite. St Stephen's manager, David Laycock said, We are absolutely thrilled to be receiving this award. Read more...

Humour - Easing the Stress of Doctors Waiting Rooms, Several Other Things and Mimicking the Effect of Beta Blockers Using a Washing Machine By Frankie Lassut

	It's an irony, but to ease the stress mentioned in the title, one must become very ill. That illness too must have high blood pressure as a symptom. I don't know about you, but I spend time each month in the doctors waiting room. This is for three reasons. 1. Jeremy Kyle is usually on the TV, so it's very entertaining. Read more...

Poetry - Where Is God? By Michelle Dee
	Where is God? God is in the air. Where is God when planes career from the skies shattering dreams below? God is in the earth. Where is God when crops fail and millions starve on television screens? God is in our minds. Where is God when armies slaughter thousands without a thought? Read more...

Music Reviews - Friday 28th November 08 - Flossie Malavialle and Dave Dave & Zoe Bottomley at Moonbeams, The Bell Hotel, Driffield By Steve Rudd
	For the final Moonbeams of 2008, Leila Slater - the organizer and promoter of the Acoustic nights - had pulled out all the stops to ensure it was an unforgettable night of superb music. First up, a local lad called Jeremy wowed the crowd with two delicately finger-picked numbers which were both rapturously received. Having previously performed at this summer's Kelk-Fest Read more...

Poetry - Who Turned On The Lights By Lee Cassanell

	A strange kind of karma is sweeping my floor These are turbulent times for the terminally bored A foreboding is brewing The plagues at his peak We might not last the day never mind last the week. Let us sleep Read more...

Poetry - Somewhere Beneath Me By Joe Hakim

twisted tongues flap like a broken reel of film as it runs through a projector white screen supernova burns words into retinas dead fingers tap contaminated criticism Read more...

Poetry - Birds Like That By Mike Watts

Got chatting to this lass Swear down She was as fit as fuck You would have took Her for a model She was class So I shot to the bar Read more...

Poetry - Midnight By Laurenceaux

Tiptoe to my chamber, as the clock it strikes the hour; the hour of day to day. Tiptoe to my chamber, and knock upon my door; that knock I've often heard before. Read more...

News, - Suspected BNP Thugs Attack At Love Music Hate Racism Event By Michelle Dee
	The live music event, organised by the The Warren Young Peoples Project and Hull Youth Council saw a diverse group of people of different age groups and ethnic backgrounds joining together at the City Hall in Hull. They enjoyed the live music on offer in an atmosphere of peace and unity whilst highlighting the ongoing issue of racism in the city. Read more...

Poetry - Look Close. Who Are You? By Kerri R.
	Look for your heart. Tell me when you find it. What does it say. What does it want. Close your eyes. Watch the darkness. Do you feel hollow. Read more...

Reviews, Books - The Mermaid Chair by Tony Flynn Reviewed by Tim Roux
	In 1980, Tony Flynn published A Strange Routine, a compelling map to his terrain of loss - the loss of his mother, of his wife, of his child, of his past. Twelve years later, his Body Politic came out, another outright masterpiece, this time including an extended mourning for the victims of state repression. It has been sixteen years since then, Read more...

Poetry - Introspection Poem By Manuro
	inward: nightly the rigorously observing self pervades Read more...

Poetry - I Don't Like Christmas (Inspired by the Boomtown Rats) By Laura Fry
	All the crass decorations are in the shops Despite the fact that it's only October And with all the same inane songs on the radio I really don't feel like staying sober I tell you half the world is starving But you truly don't give a damn And I can see no reason Read more...

News, Arts - LATITUDE Exhibition Public Art Survey Ballot
	As part of the current Latiutude Exhibition in Hull city centre, Stephen Sharp and Anna Francis have placed ballot boxes around Hull and invited members of the public to vote on a question about public art. The ballot boxes will be collected on Friday 5th December, when the ballot papers collated; so in the meantime, get yourself over to ARC, or Hull School of Art and Design to cast your vote. Read more...

News, Arts - Spoken Word at New Hull Truck
	Thisisull.com is proud to announce that Hull based spoken word performers Joe Hakim and Mike Watts have signed a contract with Hull Truck theatre to organise and host Yorkshire's first regular theatre-based spoken word/poetry event. Beginning on 27th May, Write to Speak will debut at Hull Truck's new premises on Ferensway. Read more...

Music Reviews - Saturday 29th November 08 - Scouting for Girls at Bridlington Spa By Caitlin Middleton
	There's a cinematic countdown and blinding strobe lights as Roy and co. take to the stage assuming god-like status to the sea of screaming teenyboppers. After two long hours, a somewhat confused Sam Beeton and relatively generic The Days and Scouting for Girls are finally on stage warbling on about being James Bond. Read more...

Reviews, Arts - November 08 - All Systems Go: Red Gallery Group Show By Philip Wincolmlee-Barnes
	According to their publicity (and not counting numerous one-off live events and screenings) this is the gallery's 108th exhibition. This certainly shows my age, as I've been involved with the space in one capacity or another for over ten years now. Not that there appears to be much in the way of personal wear and tear over this time: I still get asked for ID in public houses and in off licences. Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 25th November 08 - DVA Studios Showcase featuring Timmy D, Frank Johnson, Alex Stork, Jamie Gray, Telenovela, Great Northern Hotel, Day In The City At Sharkeys George Street By Michelle Dee
	Last night Dave Abbot of DVA Studios held his second showcase of artists he has been working with supporting and recording in his home studio. Dave set up DVA in order to support new musicians give them access to a studio do early demo recordings in order to give them something solid to market themselves with. Look out for a DVA Sampler CD from DVA Studios featuring some of the musicians from tonight's showcase event. Read more...

Poetry - The National Day Of Mourning (or The American Way) By Del Abe Jones.

For some it's a Day of Thanks And for some a Day to Mourn With those conflicting stories Of how Thanksgiving was born. Some say a friendly gathering Of Pilgrims and the Indians People from a far off Land Read more...

News, - Share Your Hull Experiences for Print and the Stage
	Local playwright and author Dave Windass is gathering stories for inclusion in several pieces of work that aim to tell the story of Hull through the eyes of people who live in the City. Members of the public have three opportunities to share their stories with the writer this week, at a series of informal sessions at the following venues: Read more...

Poetry - Thanksgiving By Del Abe Jones.

A day for the turkey Candied yams and pumpkin pie The time to gather family To gives thanks, is really why For, the bounty on our tables And the freedoms, we all share To do what'ere we're able To travel here and there Read more...

Music News - The Warren And Hull Youth Council Presents Love Music Hate Racism At Hull City Hall
	Last week saw the British National Party's membership list published on the internet; member occupations included teachers, doctors, nurses and a small but significant number of police officers who since 2004 have been unable by law to belong to the BNP. The Hull postcode was there, highlighting the number of people in the region who belong to the party and reinforcing Read more...

Poetry - Aardvark By Terry Ireland

I went for a walk with an Aardvark In a forest of beer bottle trees, Entranced by their gentle swaying, Hanging and clinking in the breeze; And I found a top spanner bush Growing at a convenient height And me and my friend the Aardvark Read more...

Poetry - The Girl With The Dynamite Kiss By Lee Cassanell

	Stuck in reverse and a rum from the hearse but then worse things still happen at sea. I've taken up cards but I don't have the hearts and the clubs won't stop raining on me. I've checked all the faces and tossed all the aces the places I've been don't exist. Read more...

Articles - Confessions of a Webmaster By Mo

	I'm not sure what year it was, somewhere mid winter, I had been dragged in to work as a consultant developer for Smith Barney, to work on a rather hairy problem they could not solve themselves. A reporting problem, to deliver reports on cross currency swaps, derivative products with complex accumulators outside the scope of their existing software Read more...

Music Reviews - Sunday 16th November 08 - Guillemots at The Plug, Sheffield By James Marsters
	The venue was small, the crowd was quiet and the songs were surprisingly new but that didn't stop The Guillemots from rocking out Plug in Sheffield on a freezing cold Sunday night. Opening with a new song may seem like a daring thing to do to a rather sedate crowd but it definitely set the tone for the rest of the night. Playing many fresh tracks interspersed amongst several from their first album, Read more...

Album Reviews - Circadian By Farino Reviewed By Michelle Dee
	Yet another act from the Purple Worm Records stable, Farino ask you to join them on an evocative instrumental journey with a lively Latino sound. With seven well crafted tunes overflowing with passion and technical prowess, Circadian speaks directly to lovers of the Spanish guitar. Circadian is filled with bright, florid multi layered refrains incorporating deft fingering, sunny harmonics and top end thrills. Read more...

Music News - 11th November 2008 - HYRMC 01 at The Albemarle Music Centre Hull
	This piece was put together by way of a simple questionnaire being sent out to various Conference delegates. The conference was the first of its kind in Hull and was the largely put together by Hull College music tech students and Purple Worm Records' Mik Newton and Karl Martin. Responses are from Michelle Dee, Tico from R'EYA and Mike Brookebeatz music tech student, producer and re-mixer. Read more...

Music News - Coastival 2009 ... Yorkshire goes to the Seaside!
	The final line-up is today unveiled for the Battle of the Sands, a major music contest to be staged in Scarborough later this month. Ten local bands will fight it out at the Spa Ocean Room in Scarborough on Sunday 30th November. At stake will be the chance to support the main headline act at Coastival 2009 - Yorkshire goes to the Seaside! in Scarborough next February. Read more...

Music Reviews - Tuesday 11th November 2008 ... HYRMC01 at The Sesh. By Michelle Dee
	The live music in the evening of HYRMC 01 came from a high spirited GST Cardinals and possibly the hardest working band in the city right now namely The Cliques. Also on the swollen bill down at the Sesh hosted by DJ Mak were singer songwriter Jody McKenna, Jesus Stole My Girlfriend and The Gang. Jody opened proceedings with some highly listenable Read more...

Poetry - Life Lines By Joe Hakim

There are the times when you expect it to save you. When everything else has fallen to pieces and you're caught between wanting to hurt yourself and    Read more...

People - Kid Carpet On The Difficult Second Album, Being Fired Out Of a Cannon and Touring With Scroobius Pip Vs Dan Le Sac By Michelle Dee
	I find it funny sometimes when people say I have a dictaphone... You've been to Hull before I know because I wrote the preview for the website. How do you find the Hull crowd, do you like the Hull crowd what's going on there? I played once before in Hull - the Adelphi. It was fantastic. I had a great time, I love grimy sweaty rock n roll venues so that was great, long may that Read more...

Fashion - St Stephen's Announces Prize Winners
	Despite the temperature dropping rapidly outside, St Stephen's is only just saying goodbye to summer with the announcement of the three lucky winners of the very successful Summer Style Tour Prize Draw. The lucky winners, who won over £1,000 worth of prizes includes the City's own Donna Cooper, who walked away with a fabulous day of pampering. Read more...

Poetry - Lines So Deep By Paul England

	I'm writing lines so near cos maybe I'm not you can you feel this too as I rhyme my life so true can you still propel while the world all thought you fell Read more...

Places to Visit - Gibraltar and La Linea, Spain By Mo
	Recently I went on a week long trip to Gibraltar and La LÍnea, Spain staying with my mum and dad in their La Linea flat. My twin sister and her boyfriend were also at the flat on holiday for a week and had rented a small car booked online for only 60 quid for the week. I think that included car insurance too so a pretty good deal. They all met me at Gibraltar airport and we walked across the border with Spain Read more...

Kids Poetry - Questions By Bella Wykes age 10

What is the time? Where is the place? Why am I here? What should I do? What's going to happen? I just don't know. Read more...

Poetry - Oh What a Lovely War By Laurenceaux

The war wasted men, the trench souls and minds puppeteered from above by mustachioed children. Animated ants crawled over dead Read more...

News, Charity - From Hull City to Wembley - St Stephen's and Friends Cycle for Children in Need
	It's only 210 miles from Hull City to Wembley - and then there's back again! St Stephen's is challenging all visitors this week to rack up as many miles as possible, in return for a small donation or sponsorship, in our Cannon Health Club 'bikeathon' to raise money for Children in Need on Thursday 13th, Friday 14th and Saturday 15th November between 11am and 3pm. Read more...

News, Environment - Washable Nappies Are Best for the Environment
	Real nappies are up to 40% better for the environment than disposables; a new report from the government has stated. The key finding of the report shows that the environmental benefits are achieved by following simple washing guidelines like: avoiding tumble drying nappies, using A-rated appliances and washing in full loads at no more than 60 degrees . Read more...

News, Arts - 28 November to 14 December 08 - LATITUDE Exhibition in Hull City Centre
	L A T I T U D E is an exhibition of publicly sited contemporary artworks in Hull City Centre. 54°N (www.fifty-four.org) have taken on the challenge to question what public art is and can be. Central to the concept of Latitude are the questions of who is the Public and who is the Audience. The exhibition will be composed of 10 specially commissioned artworks. Read more...

Poetry - Judges Solution By Chris Dawber

Judge and Clerk in chambers, Before the mornings court, Behind every crime an addict, Increases heroin bought. Each addict becomes a pusher, Who then makes a hundred more. The law is losing hands down,    Read more...

News, Arts - Short Story Anthology - Radgepacket Volume One
	Radgepacket - Tales From The Inner Cities (volume one) is now available to buy. Released on November 17th, the book is available for pre-order now from the Byker Books website. At only £5.99 with FREE postage and packing, it's a proper bargain and no mistake. The anthology includes Choked, a short story from Hull writer, Nick Boldock, Read more...

Poetry - Sizdah Be Dar By Lee Cassanell

	Jocose lies from joker's lips Upon this day The truth is flipped I'm Jewish Amish Mormon born I read the runes Read more...

Opinions - COOL ! By Andrew Wastling
	I woke up feeling optimistic about the future of the planet for the first time in many years After eight wasted years of what amounts to government by a fascist junta of gangsters, crooks and warmongers - perhaps we can all hope that the US under Obama will now take a more progressive road and a lead on the environment for a change? Read more...

People - Scroobius Pip Speaks On Spoken Word, Socks, Caps and Collaborations At Hull Uni By Michelle Dee
	I arrive at Hull Uni armed with information gathered after an afternoon's research fest on the bearded one; an unlikely counter culture hero, who takes his moniker from one of the pioneers of nonsense poetry Edward Lear, or rather The Scroobious Pip, a poem that remained unfinished at the time of Edward's death in 1888. I am due to interview him before he headlines alongside beats master and DJ Dan Le Sac. Read more...

Music News - Hull & Yorkshire Region Music Conference
	The first annual HYRMC (Hull & Yorkshire Region Music Conference) will take place on Tuesday 11th November 2008 attracting a huge number of music industry attendees. Venue. Albemarle Music Centre, Ferensway, Hull (next to the St. Stephens Shopping Centre) Registration 9am - All delegates must register to gain entry into Conference Hall. Cost £10. Read more...