Crackheads... COOL OFF!!!

Crackheads... COOL OFF!!!
Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

This is an image I've titled, Crackheads... COOL OFF!!! It depicts two of the most fidgety guys I've ever seen in my life. Here they are trying to look normal looking at the pictures in the newspaper. I know they've just finished a hard day at the office (begging money for "tea"). Crackheads... COOL OFF!!!

Just Jack Helps Samsung Launch Their New MP3 Players

The day after finding out his second single, Starz In Their Eyes, was in at No.2, Just Jack was on hand to perform the night away as press and guests talk shop…

Yesterday, Samsung – the proud sponsors of the Chelsea team – launched a new line of swish MP3 players, the YP-T9 and the YP-K3. These two players are due to ride on the back of the success of the popular Samsung YP-K5 and Just Jack was on hand to see the launch went smoothly.

Performing a number of album and MySpace tracks the North Londoner and his band of merry men/ women worked their set. The ever-smiling Jack was on form and PA highlights were I Talk Too Much and Disco Friends. During the set he was surprised that the audience knew the lyrics to lesser known tracks, bellowing “Thanks for knowing the words,” but managed to thank the people who purchased his biggest hit to date “and here’s a track that ONLY got to No.2, but thanks for all of your support,” before performing what many had waited for… Starz In Their Eyes.

On first look the YP-T9 is a slick video and FM radio-enabled portable player which boasts a 30 hour battery life. Its 1.8” colour LCD screen is not too small to view videos, images and album artwork. Available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB versions it will definitely challenge all other players on the market.

Like a little sibling, the YP-K3 is a more refined audio-focused player and also includes an FM radio. The user-interface and set-up is very easy and the 25 hour battery life is very good considering how small it is. Utilising Samsung’s “trademark glossy piano black” it’s hard to believe they can cram so much into something that’s just 7mm thick.

For more info get onto www.samsung.com/uk

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-21

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Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

This is the car that Alonso and Hamilton will be driving, kinda neat huh?

McLaren Mercedes...

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Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

Ron Dennis gave this to Alonso. I wish my boss was that kind.

Valencia Pics - Where To Wash Ones Anus

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Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

How crude of me... basically, I’ve never used a bidet, I don’t know anyone who owns one and I don’t know why the hell they exist. I'm sorry but how chocka can you be???

Valencia Pics - The 5-star room

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Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

He's the room I stayed in, note the freeness on the bed.

What the hell???

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Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

Trainers in fish bowls?

What A Game!!!

Arsenal Vs Manchester United was the best game I’ve ever been to. It was doom and gloom ‘til the last 10 minutes. We kept playing long ball – unlike our usual glorious football – and it simply wasn’t working. Vidic and Ferdinand were simply better in the air.

Van Persie and Baptista were the catalyst and Henry was the icing on the cake!!! When Thierry scored the winner we went mad!!! I remember my mate was jumping on his seat and running along the top of the seats (I’m sure he had a tear in his eye too).

Even better than that, after the glorious victory they showed a picture of Alex Fergusson’s face… he looked PISSED.

Well worth the season ticket fee alone. Bring on Bolton and Tottenham.

Back From Valencia - Here's Alonso

Back From Valencia - Here's Alonso
Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

When you find out you're being taken to Spain, Valencia in fact, to witness one of the most highly anticipated debuts in FIA Formula One World Championship history, you realise; this journalism lark ain’t 'alf bad... words taken from RWDmag.com

The speedy world of Formula One is fuel injected with glitz and glamour. It's a combustion chamber full of emotion, dreams and – as I've now found out and experienced firsthand – a lot of hard work. It's taken over a year to organise the official launch of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes new car, so you can imagine how long and how many people it takes for one race, let alone a 17 circuit season (which spans over four continents in just eight months).

Last year Team McLaren Mercedes finished third in the Constructors’ World Championship with Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya in the drivers’ seats. Now in 2007 there’s been somewhat of an oil change. Double World Champion Fernando Alonso and About to Blow’s F1 newbie, Lewis Hamilton, are the new pilots. Not only do the team have two new, young and competitive drivers but McLaren Mercedes has a new partner – that’s right not sponsor, but partner in Vodafone.

One of the most recognised brands in the world is in the passenger seat and yesterday whilst speaking to David Wheldon, Vodafone Global Director of Brand & Customer Experience, I’m informed it’s a good look. “Today is all about chasing dreams and Fernando and Lewis are a perfect example of this,” he enlightens. “Fernando Alonso’s hero when he was a child was Ayrton Senna and to drive for McLaren. Lewis always wanted to be a Formula One driver.” Wondering what was in it for the mobile giant; Mr Wheldon sets us straight, and divulges “this partnership is gonna help build our brand equity. Having said that, would we like to see the drivers up on the podium...? Yes.” So they’re in it to win it, much like the Woking-based McLaren Group.

Over lunch [a Valencian Paella with Chicken, if you must know] we got to speak to the new drivers and The McLaren Group’s Chairman and CEO Ron Dennis. Dennis who said those inspiring words about Lewis Hamilton when they announced his appointment [“Since 1998 Lewis has formed an important part of our long-term strategy and we are pleased that we are able to help him take another step and achieve his dream of becoming a Formula 1 racing driver,”] this time around he was as positive as ever. Sat boldly in his chair he tells RWD, about proceedings, hours from the momentous unveiling, “It’s going to be live across Spain and across the world. This is not some glitzy launch that just relates to McLaren but a major effort (coming out of our own research) and what our brand stands for is to do something innovative.” Forever pushing forward, The McLaren Group want to change F1 for the better, “Lewis is chasing his dream and Fernando has achieved his dream. Not only that but in other sports, different disciplines, we will be the facilitators of them living their dreams and realising their dreams. We're trying to do more, not just in Formula One, cos Formula One should think outside the box a little bit and be a bit more dynamic.”

There’s nothing more outside the box than giving 22 year-old Lewis Hamilton his big chance. The relaxed, Hampshire-born, GP2 Champion is more than tranquil. Does he know what he’s about to face? Has this dream sunk in? “I thought by Christmas time it would have,” he lets off with a smile, “but then I come here and see everything that is going on and it's all new to me. It's a completely different world and (obviously I've been a racing driver for a number of years, in GP2 its quite high profile but nowhere near the nature of Formula One. It’s taken a while to get used to but I'm really getting used to it.) I'm really happy to be here to be standing next to Fernando and to be a part of this team.”

The rest of the line-up feel the same as Lewis but double World Champion Fernando Alonso has his own challenges. In a strong Spanish accent, he informs “I have my own pressures. I moved from Renault cos I think McLaren is growing up and will be the best team to beat. If we [the drivers] do it as well, we’ll be tough to beat. I’m 25, I’m the experienced guy in the team [for the first time in his career] and it’s a difficult position to manage.” When asked if his racing partner Lewis would cut it in Formula One, Fernando was bold and quick with his answer, “I think it’s too early to say. He’s been setting good times, he’s got talent and you don’t win the GP2 Series if you’re not able to win Formula One.” He continued his colleague support and finished, “It’s good for Lewis to be here at McLaren, it’s a big team and I hope the best for him.”

With the light dimming, it was straight out of the hotel, via the aide of a police escort through the fan packed streets – who’d not only come to see the new car but countryman and hero Fernando Alonso – and onto the venue. The exquisite Cuidad De Las Artes Y Las Ciendas awaited eager members of the press, RWD included, and only 50 minutes stood between us and that new car. After the drivers parade, in which not only Alonso and Hamilton where ‘familiarised’ with the crowd but test drivers, Spanish Pedro Le La Rosa and British Gary Paffett too. Following an immense/ intense firework abetted Cirque De Soleil performance the car was unleashed. As the dry ice cleared it was finally there for the world to see, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 F1 Challenger.

Nothing short of amazing could describe the vehicle. It looked more aerodynamic than a sheet of white paper, smoother than a Blackpool beach pebble and faster than rocket. Later on that evening, still with a ‘What the f…’ look still etched on my face I – whilst expecting Batman to jump out of it’s high tech underbelly – got to take a closer look. Again, amazing. It’s not long ‘til March 18 in Albert Park, Australia, when all the testing will (hopefully, for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team) come true.

The prefect launch was rounded off by an energetic performance by Vanessa Mae.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have launched three special edition mobile phones. From Sharp the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 770SH, (3G and 2G versions) and the 3G Sharp Vodafone McLaren Mercedes SGH-Z720M. Stay tuned to RWDmag.com and the next issue of RWD for more from Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Ron Dennis

So Close As Sadie Ama's Fourth Sound of 2007

Whilst RWD backed About to Blow partaker Sadie Ama, the radio friendly singer was piped to the post by Beirut-born 23 year-old, Mika

The BBC always like to kick the New Year off with a hot accolade, and this is simply explained as, “Some of the hottest new music talent is highlighted in the BBC News website's Sound of 2007 poll, compiled using tips from critics and broadcasters.” Thinking back 360-odd days ago when last year’s award was announced – funnily enough titled the Sound of 2006 – which saw Corinne Bailey Rae deservedly swoop the glory, this year many were in the running.
Despite her Flukes-produced version of Wifey Riddim aka Falling smothering radio stations, Sadie Ama – currently signed to a Ministry of Sound development deal – came in a respectable 4th place. New Ravers, The Klaxons came in 3rd and runners-up were The Twang, a five piece Birmingham-bread indie turnout. Stealing the gold though was Mika, a 23 year-old who’s apparently a ‘one man Scissor Sisters with a dash of Robbie Williams’, interesting??? The Times regard him as “2007's first household name-in-waiting,” which backs his own statement, telling the BBC, “There’s this stigma that if you're a singer-songwriter you sing self-indulgent dinner party music. I never wanted to make music like that.” It should be a hot year for both Mika and Sadie.

The full rundown is as follows:
1. Mika
2. The Twang
3. Klaxons
4. Sadie Ama
5. Enter Shikari
6. Air Traffic
7. Cold War Kids
8. Just Jack
9. Ghosts
10. The Rumble Strips

For more info get on over to BBC News or check out Sadie’s MySpace