Not A Good Day !!

Hi Everybody - I Hope Your Worlds Are keeping You Safe ?

My World seems to be letting me 'down' at the moment.........  I'm finding it very hard to deal, to cope with life at the moment - I usually manage to keep my spirits relatively 'high', but at the moment, I'm feeling very low.   All I really want to do is stay in bed, lock myself away & sleep !!

It's a mix of many things really.  I'm not feeling too well & that's been getting me down + this whole thing with the neighbour has upset the whole family & it's making me feel low - no, more than low..... really depressed !

The police finally came out & B & ME told them what was going on.  So they went over to have a word with her & then later phoned me to say that I had to avoid her & any confrontation with her !!  The only thing with avoiding her - is that she comes to our front door & then gives us a mouthful - it's hard to avoid someone when they are standing right in front of you !!  I really do feel let down by them - the police - they seem to have missed the point altogether.

I called them, to report what she was doing & now I have to avoid her, to avoid any confrontation !!  What do you have to do, to make a complaint ?  I've just had enough now - life ain't worth this type of crap !!

So anyways - I'm back to where I was a few years ago - not wanting to go out........ it's like a kind of phobia.  I feel happier staying indoors - away from people & all this has made me realise, I am better off not going out at all !!

With that in mind - I e-mailed The Bishop, to say I wouldn't be at Church today.  I explained I was 'depressed' & at some point I will take to him about it...... I'll call him or get him to phone here.  Things are really getting to me now, sorry Worlds.

Oh well.....as for the family...... ME has taken B for a ride into Taunton.  She wanted something in the shops & dragged B along with her.  B would of stayed with me, but I told her to go out - she does worry about me tho'.... bless her.

As for our Son, J... well, he's here abouts.  Keeping an eye on me !!  Yesterday I fell over - didn't pass out this time, just fell over some shoes on the floor.   The result being, I now have a very sore knee - it took the brunt of the fall - oh well.... nothing to worry about !!  So - he is here in case I need help at all.......

The music of the moment is Whitesnake's 'Ready & Willing'.  I'm playing that old compilation collection I mentioned a few days ago...... Ok, I know it's a Sunday & maybe it's not the most suitable music - but....... Last Sunday, at Church, one of the speakers said something about how we should avoid music (and other things) with lyrics that are not exactly to good.... that's not his exact words - but I think you might get the idea ?!

He said, we should listen to things that give us a spiritual lift (or something like that) - well, Mr Speaker - when I'm low, depressed or what have you - this kind of music does give a spiritual lift !!  It's my way of lifting my spirit, my mood - call it what you want.... The Lord is in our lives, but I don't think he would object to something that keep me happy - or, I should say, makes me feel happier.  Music is my "safety net" & nobody is going to take that away from me....... Rush's 'Xanadu' is playing now - great song, great lyrics !!

Bye Bye

Still Waiting For The Law !!

Hail & Hello Worlds - I hope all is well & you're all being good !!

Ok - it's a Friday, yep - just checked & I'm right.... it's the end of another week !!  I do miss days  sometimes, but..... it is a Friday !!  It's been a long, long day so far...

I was a bit poorly in the night & heard the village clock strike all the hours from 3am thru' to 7am !!  I just could not get off to sleep, which was a real bummer - never mind..... I got up just after 7 & came down & sorted out a drink for B.  I'm not 100% sure she was too excited about it - after all, as I had been poorly, so she had been awake for most of the night as well !!  Never mind - I think she has forgiven me.... or at least I hope so anyways !!

At the moment, the ladies have gone out shopping.  We went out early & did all our food shop & paid some bills... but, ME wanted to go back into town & B went with her for the ride along.  So at the moment, it's just J & yours truly here at home + the cats, who seem a bit fed up with the warm weather we're having at the moment !!  Never mind........

I had to see my doctor early this morning - I'm struggling a bit at the moment & he has put me on some different pills.  So, hopefully things will get a little better over the coming days & weeks - we'll see.... things can't really get any worse - well, they could, I guess !!  But I'll keep sucking in the air & flapping my old arms - hopefully things will improve !!

Yesterday I was sat here waiting for the police to arrive & of course they didn't come at all !!!!!!  So, while we were in town, we went into the local station & asked why.... it seems, so I'm told, that the message didn't get thru' !!  What can I say !!

There is this story, I heard many moons ago..... A lady called the police as she had a some guy trying to get into her house.  Anyways, after a few hours, the police hadn't reached her, so she called back - to tell them not to bother, as she had shot the guy !!  She hadn't......

The story goes that - withing 30 minutes, the police were everywhere, telling her to come out, with-out her gun & what have you.   Come the end, they took her to court for wasting police time !!  That's how I feel at the moment - what do you have to do to get the police to take a complaint seriously ?  Maybe shoot the neighbour !!

Anyhooo - they are going to come out... I've told them to phone first tho' - I might be shooting the neighbour !!  No really...... but it is bad, when you call them & they do nothing !!

Oh yes - while we're in town, we met our MP - he shops in the same book store as us.  He is a really 'nice guy'.... it's just a shame he's a MP !!  Never mind - maybe I could stand for Parliament ?  Now that would get the police to pay attention !!

The music of this very moment is Robert Plant's 'Song To The Siren' - or at least his version of it.  It's an old Tim Buckley song & I think the original is better really !!  It's on another one of my compilation Cd's - earlier it was Nightwish, then The Allman's & now Mr Plant...... another day & another piece of music !!

I had an e-mail earlier (about 1.30 this morning) from the US postal service - my Allman's box set is on it's way to me, "Yippeeeeeeeee" - I hope it'll be here in a few weeks - we'll see how long it takes to swim over here from 'Hittin' The Note'.  I can't wait to hear it - it should be really good !!

Last night, I was looking at Play.com.  There is a 3 Cd set by Iced Earth I want to listen to - but, I don't see paying over £20 for it !!  Anyhooo - I was looking at Play & the set ranges from over £20 if you buy it in this country, down to £11 if you order it from America.... how crazy is that !!  I'm not going to buy it just yet - maybe Santa Claus will bring in his sack.... I doubt it very much tho'  - we'll see !!

As for the plan for today - well, not much really.  I was going to do some more painting - I have some gloss to do in the bathroom, but - feeling as I do, that has gone right out the window !!  Maybe tomorrow.... it's the sort of thing I need to do in the morning, so that it might dry enough by the evening - wet paint & the evening showers do not go very well together !!  These new tablets the Dr has given me, should cut back on the pain a bit - so, that might make me feel better in myself & hopefully make the painting seem a little easier.

Why am I doing it & no one else ?  Simple really - I want to do it, so B does not have to worry about it & it'll last a few years.  It'll be something she can forget about for a while & concentrate on other things.  It's just another thing I need to do - to get things in order - as I say, so she will not have to worry about it !!  Might sound stupid - but it's all part of my plans for the World - never mind....... it makes sense to me !! 

J & I were just talking about Nightwish...... when will the new album be out ?  I think it'll be early next year from what I've seen on their web site - hopefully it'll be as good, if not better than 'Dark Passion Play' !!  Now that is a brilliant album & you should try & give it a listen if you can - go on, spoil yourself !!

Talking of spoiling things - B & I have decided, no matter what, when we go to Church on Sunday - the guy I wrote about last weekend will not be getting any sweets out of us !!  B is still really mad that he went into her handbag, like he did !!  I think mad is probably an understatement - she is boiling !!  We'll see how Sunday goes, I guess - as long as the young ones get a sweet - that's the main thing !!  Bless them, we love the kids - they are brilliant, well, most of them !!

Also - on the spoiling thingy.... the BBC are giving showing all the F1 GPs from next year !!  That is such a crock - we can't all pay for Sky boxes & what have you, just to watch one of favourite sports...... I bet they won't cut back on the horse racing or football coverage - tho', the Beeb hardly shows any football at the moment... so, that's not such a bad thing !!

They were on the radio today, talking about how much it cost to cover the races from around the World - nobody made the point that, at the moment, they have coverage of the swimming, from China !!  How much does that cost ?  Oh well - it's not the end of the World - but it does stink a bit !! Never mind......

The music of the moment is Dream Theater's 'Pull Me Under' - life goes on & so must I..... until next time !!

Bye Bye

The Joys Of Living Next Door To People !!

Hi again Worlds of the Internet Empire !!

It is a beautiful day out side - the sun is out, the sky is blue - with just a few white clouds & the bees are buzzing.......  I'm sat here waiting for the police !!  More later.....

Yesterday, I was playing some Cd's that I had put together from old tapes.  I did the tapes way back in 1980 or 1981..... which made me realise, after I had gone to bed - they are at least 30 years old !! There is nothing on them 'younger' than 30 years !!  That's got to be a bit of a "Wow" if nothing else........ + this morning I was playing Tift Merritt's 'See You On The Moon' Cd & the opening track is called 'Mixtape' - exactly the type of thing I was playing yesterday !!  Weird or what........ well, I think so at least !!

Ok - the family are all out, except for J - who, as always - is in his room 'playing' on his computer.  I think if he went out in the sunshine, his skin would fall off - Zombie fashion !!  Oh well - the ladies of the house are visiting B's auntie & they've dragged ME's boyfriend along for the ride...... never mind, I'm sure he'll get over it in time !!

As for me, I've been sat here quietly, doing a bit of painting in the bathroom (just waiting for it to dry) & playing music........ earlier, it was Beethoven's '9th Symphony' & now it's Jean Michel Jarre's 'Waiting For Cousteau' - a very weird & wonderful Cd if ever there was one.  So that's the music of the moment.....

As for waiting for the police.... ah the joys of having a neighbour from hell !!  We have lived here since 1998 & had no problems with the old neighbour, then this couple moved in & as long as you do exactly what they want - everything is fine.  However, a few months or so ago, I had a moan, because for 3 weeks they had continually block our drive & I couldn't get in.... walking is bad enough, but trying to squeeze thru' was stupid !!

Anyhoooo - next thing we know, she is having a big go at ME..... so, I called the police & they put things to rights.  Since then, she has had 2 more goes at ME & this morning, had a go at B about the parking.  She banged on the door, before 8.30am, because ME's car was not on our drive, but parked in the road - exactly where the police said she (ME) could park !!

We think she was going to have another go at ME, as our car is in the garage for it's yearly MOT...... of course, B answered the door, took the neighbour by surprise & then got a mouthful of abuse for her trouble !! 

But, her worst mistake - well, that was saying she was going to call the police to get our cars moved - sorry, that's like a "red rag to a bull" as far as I'm concerned.... so I called the police & I've been waiting about 6 hours now for them to get here !!  Don't you just love it ?!!  Life will go on - but I really am fed up at the moment... I will not let any member of my family get 'bullied' by some one who think the World spins around her !!  The joys of living next door to people !!

Bye Bye

Post Office !!!!!!!!!!!

Hail & ho-hum greetings to you all - I hope your day is going well !!

Today has been very strange.... mainly thanks to a computer glitch at the post office !!  To explain.  Most of our money is tied up with the post office - we get a set amount every week & that's what we live off.... Anyhooo - we went into town this morning to pay some bills & do some shopping... only to find we couldn't get any money out of the post office, because of their computers crashing - or just being blooming stupid !!

So, we stayed in town for a while, to see if the computers would come back on line...... only to come home this afternoon with zilch, nothing !!  So, that wasn't so good - especially as we had to get a couple of tyres for the car !!  It's due it's yearly MOT & the tyres we had on - well, they probably would have failed.... so we had a plan to buy new ones today.  But, with no access to cash, there was no way we could do it.....

We came home, more or less giving up on the whole day - until B went down to pick up some meds for me.  She just went into our local post office on the off chance, to find the computers had come back on line about 10 minutes earlier !!  Great stuff - we then shot back into town, got 2 new tyres & now all's well with the World..... except we didn't do any food shopping, but that's no biggy - there is always tomorrow !!

Talking of my better part - B has gone to the gym again..... some kind of special night class or something - I find it easier to just agree, nod my head & hope she is enjoying herself !!  When we talked about her going to the gym - well, I didn't think it would last..... but, as the weight is falling off, she seems to be getting more & more out of it - so good for her !!  The rest of the family are here - sort of.  J is upstairs in his room & ME is on her way home from a day trip out - so, she is here in our hearts as it were !!

That's the family taken care of - as for the music..... well, it's a 5 Cd compilation set.  Back in 1980 or 81- I recorded a load of tapes to play at work & in the car & a while ago, I transferred the tapes to Cd..... I still have the tapes here abouts, but the Cd's are a bit better quality & will probably last me a while longer than if I kept playing the tapes over & over !!

So, having said that, the music of the moment is by Rush & a little while ago it was Led Zeppelin... there were a lot of different groups on the tapes - so, it's a bit of a muddle as to what might come next !!  Oh well.......

For a change, I've not had too much in the way of 'new' music this week... which is not a bad thing really.  I do like it when I get new stuff thru' the door - but, at least this way, I get to catch up on old stuff for a while !

Tomorrow, if all goes well - the ladies of the house are going to visit B's auntie..... I think they are thinking of dragging ME's boyfriend along - poor sap !!  Anyway's while they are away for the day, I plan on getting my head down & try & finish the bathroom paint job.   That will be exciting - but at least I'll get a chance to listen to as much music as my ears can take ... so the day will have it's perks !!  Should be fun.... ho hum !!

As for tonight - it's another quiet one really... except for the music of course !!  But, I'll turn that off as soon as I finish this - as it will nearly be my bed time !!  As I keep saying, I need my beauty sleep - the music has just changed to Black Sabbath... see, there is a lot of different stuff on these discs !!  Must away...... "as the sun sets in the west"......

Bye Bye

Where were you in Decemebr 1973 ?

Ho - hum & many greetings to you all......

It's another Tuesday - nearly the end of July !!  This year seems to be flying by..... anyhooo - it's a lovely day outside & I'm here typing these words.  The music of the moment is the Allman's (again) - this time the 'Cow Palace' show from the last night of 1973.  A good soundboard recording - I used to have a really, really bad Lp of this show - but this 4 Cd set is much better !!

I can't remember where I was on the last day of 1973 !!  I had just got back to work after an enforced 6 month lay-off due to an accident.... so, I might have been home or out with mates, probably the former - can't really remember !!  It was a very long time ago........

Today was like yesterday - been a little poorly - spent a long time sleeping !!  I'm not sure what or why I'm feeling like this - on Friday I've to go & see my GP - see if he has any idea about it.  I seem to be having far to many 'bad days' lately - I'm getting very fed up with them !!  I know I've to expect them, never mind - I'll keep flapping my arms & hopefully things will swing around again & I'll pick up !!

I see on the news earlier, that they have had a service for Amy Winehouse.  I was never a big fan - tho' I admit she did have a lot of talent....... another sad loss to the "World of Music" as the headline said.  I would of thought a sad loss to her family would of been more to the point !!

Upstairs, I have a load of old newspapers - one of which was from the day after John Lennon was shot.  I used to do that a lot - keep newspapers - when something 'big' was news headlines..... the main bulk of the papers are from the days our kids were born.  I've kept them for the guys to look at when they are older.  I have them from 1989 for J & 1991 for ME + I have a load from 1985, when my Son C was born, from my  "entanglement" with my first wife !!  Shouldn't be bitter about it - she had her life & decided it wasn't going to be spent with me.  Life goes on......

Talking of family.... B is out at her weight watcher's meeting, J is upstairs & ME is sat here with me - feeling a little under the weather.  Hopefully it's only a little tiredness, as she and her boyfriend are going out all day tomorrow - hopefully the sky will be as blue as it is today !!  They need a bit of 'down time' after finishing their Uni courses for this year !!

Tomorrow, I think, B & I are going out to do some shopping & pay some bills - such an exciting day !!  I hope to try & do some more painting - I've not done any for 2 or 3 days now...... so, I must push on with it or else I'll never finish the job !!  Can't do it feeling like this tho' - hopefully I'll feel better in the morning or after a trip out to the shops & banks !!  I'll certainly be a little poorer !!

Oh well - I must be on my ways...... nothing to do tonight, other than sleep again - such an exciting evening !!

Bye Bye

Norway's Sorrow.

Hi & Hello to all of you out there - may your planets be ever blue !!

Well, it's a Monday here in old England - just after 2pm (I think) and 2 things struck me over the weekend....

First of all, how moving the Church service was yesterday morning, from Norway - how dignified everybody was, during a terrible time of sorrow.  The service was broadcat live & B and I watched most of it before we, ourselves, went off to Church..... and that brings me to the second thing.

Not one person, during our service, mentioned the events in Norway - either during the opening or closing prayers - or, as far as I could hear, at any other point !!  That was kind of disgusting & very 'introverted' - if that is even a word !!

Please, if anybody from Norway is reading these words - I know someone does from time to time - not all Latter Day Saints are immune to your sadness & we do care for your loss.  It's been a horrible time for your country & we do care !!

Onwards.........

It's a Monday, as already stated, and I'm here in the sunshine of our living room - it really is a beautiful day outside !!  B & I went into town this morning & it was really warm - especially pushing myself around in my wheel chair, I kept heading into the shade to cool off !!  It was slightly cooler in ASDA, but not much..... very warm.

At the moment, the ladies of the house are out at a gym thingy - they left a short while ago......  It is paying off tho' - B put herself on the scales yesterday & she has lost quite a bit of weight over the last few months, so that's really good !!  Plus, ME's boyfriend said that she (ME) was 'fitter' - tho' I did point out that he is kind of bias on the subject + (I guess) he wants a quiet life !!

As for J - well, he's up in his room again - kind of keeping an eye on me....... I'm a bit under the weather today, so.... he is here incase I need him or anything !!  He really does not have to stay in to look after me, but it's a comfort to know he is there..........  

....& as for why I'm feeling poorly - I've no real idea.... I has been a bad night, couldn't get to sleep & just felt like c**p for most of it.  I think I fell asleep about 3am or so - I can't really remember.... it was a long night !!  Hopefully - as I keep saying - I'll hear from the hospital soon & get a few things sorted out.... time will tell !!

Yesterday morning - Sunday, about 9am - the phone rang & I picked it up (as you do)...... it turned out to be a man from the coach company, that B & I used on our weekend in Birmingham.  I had written a letter, to complain about the return journey & how I felt let down by the driver - he ignored our request for a front row seat, which we had 'booked' due to my health problems.

Anyhooooo - this guy phoned up & not only did he say a big sorry, but - he is going to refund 50% of our fare (to cover the return journey) + we are getting return tickets to any destination we want, in England  - how cool is that !!

He had checked every thing out & he found our booking.  It confirmed my complaint & the fact the driver was in the wrong to let someone take our seats..... so we're getting the cash & tickets as an apology !!  That is well good - now we have to think of someplace to go & visit - maybe a day trip to London or even an overnight stay if our funds will cover it (unlikely !).... So, if you feel you've been "wronged" - write a letter - it worked in this case !!  I don't want the driver to get into big trouble over the thing - but, he was wrong !!

Oh I forgot - the music of the moment is Within Temptation's last Cd 'The Unforgiving'... I wanted to tap my foot along to & this was infront of me, so....... !!  I did have a 'moan' about the Nazareth Cd - I picked it up from the library & wasn't too keen on it.  Well, I've given it a couple more plays & it is growing on me !!  I'm not that struck by the some of the tracks - but, I must admit - I was wrong.... there are some good rock tracks in there as well.  I don't think I would go out & buy it - but it's worth a listen !!

I hope soon the Allman Brother's box set will get here - I'm really looking forward to that one !!  The web site said it should be sent out by the end of the month - so there is still a week to go.... needless to say, it will get a lot of playing when it reaches these fair shores !!  I'm sure B will have a few words to say about it all - but.......... I'll enjoy myself !!

Yesterday at Church, we did something a little different with the sweets - I had mentioned before, how one lad, just helped himself & left none for the younger kids.  Well, instead of putting the lollipops out on the table - B kept them in her bag & we gave them out to the little ones as we saw them - it worked !!

All the very young ones got a sweet - while the 'greedy one' missed out & threw a "moody" because his younger Brother & Sister were given one !!  We're not being mean - we're being fair - why should one 12 year old get a handful of sweets, while the little ones go without ?

What made B VERY angry tho' - wasn't the 12 year old - it was his Dad !!  He came to say "hello" & seeing the sweets in the bag, he put his hand in to take one !!  This is B's handbag - with lots of our private stuff in - not just any old bag full of sweets...... B was really angry & told him to put the sweet back, as they were for the little ones !!  He thought she was joking - boy, he soon found out she meant it....... you do not go into my Wife's handbg at all, especially just to grap a sweet !!

What really made it worse - at the end of the service, the guy more or less chased us thru' the building - still trying to get a sweet !!  This is a guy........ well, B was furious & I wasn't far behind her !!  At least we now have a better idea of why his Son is such a "cry baby" - how does the phrase go ? "Like Father, Like Son" !!  B was still p****d, about it all, this morning - nobody goes into a ladies handbag/purse like that - what a jerk !!

It's things like that which puts B off going to Church !!  Some people say things, other's do things & others' - well "jerk" is not too far from the truth !!  I know full well, if it wasn't for me "wanting" to go each Sunday, that I'm able - well, B would just stay at home & have done with them !!  Oh well - onwards, ever onwards !! 

The music of the moment, is now the Allman Brothers - a couple of live tracks from 1979..... just a change of pace foe a while.  I must away - until next time.....

Bye Bye

Norway, You're In Our Hearts.

Hail & Hearty Greetings To You All !!

Well, it's another Saturday & it's really a beautiful day outside !!  I can see right across to the sea & the sky is making it really blue today - a good start to all the summer holidays for the kids !!  I'm guessing most of the local schools have broken up for the holidays now - not sure about other areas tho'....

First off - a big "sorry" to all of you in Norway - the news I've been seeing has been horrible..... my heart goes out to all of you over there.  Why people do such things is beyond me - you're in my thoughts & prayers.

Ok, I'm home here in the rec (living) room & I'm more or less alone at the moment.  J is upstairs on his computer, ME is out shopping with her boyfriend & my Dearest Friend & Wife is out on her bike !!  I just made sure I had tightened the wheel up enough for her - I put a new tire & tube on since her last ride - & off she has gone.  I think she is staying on the roads today - keeping off the tracks, just until she is 100% happy with the new set up !!

Anyhoo - I'm here - the music is playing just below deafening - & it's not too bad a day so far !! B & I went into town earlier to pick up some food & stuff... another quiet "day in the life" so to speak !!  Nothing very exciting going on !!

The music of the moment is by Nazareth - an album called 'the newz' - it's not very good.... well, depending on your taste I guess ?!  I got it out of the local library & I'm a little disappointed by it !!  I think it came out a few years back - 2008 - and some of it rocks along nicely - but, as with most of their albums, there are too many 'pop' tracks on it for my liking.... they are a really good 'rock' band, I don't got a lot on their lighter stuff !!

So, I've just changed it to their 'live' album 'Snaz' - Ok, it's a lot older - but - for me at least - it really is one of their best !!  I was over the moon to get the 2 Cd set, when we went up to Birmingham.... for once, a good album to play over & over !!  I really like the way they cover some other tracks - especially 'Tush' & 'Shapes Of Things' - two great tracks !!

My plan, today, is get back upstairs & try & do a little more painting..... such an exciting subject !!  But, the walls will not cover themselves, so - as I've already started - I better get on with it !!  I seem to have done Ok with the rest of the house, so far...... everybody who has seen it, likes the way the hall & landing look, so that's a bonus !!  It's been 'hard work' - but it's been a bit of fun !! As long as I'm not on a tight time limit, well - it's been fun to do !! Plus..... what else am I going to do ?

Ok, that's enough for now - got to get painting !!

Bye Bye

Friday, again........

Hello again all you Worlds out there - how's the gravity holding up ?

Well. it's a Friday & it's pretty horrid outside !!  It can't make up it's mind if it wants to rain or rain even harder !!  Crazy really, yesterday was such a warm, sunny day - never mind... it's warm & dry in here, so that's where I intend staying for the rest of the day !!

The family are all back under one roof.  J came home from Cardiff & when I asked him what his plans were/are - well, he says he is staying here for the time being.... good choice sunshine !!  Going for a visit is one thing, up & moving house is something all together - his choice tho' !!

ME is out at Uni at the moment - something about a study thing at the campus library.....she has already started her third year classes & the today is all about showing them where the various things are, that they will need to complete the year !!  Well, that's what I think it is - I sort of lost the plot someways thru' the explanation !!

B bless her, is once again out at the gym - some sort of fitness class that happens over the lunchtime... again, it's all been explained to me, but.......... My memory is really shot at the moment !!  So, I look interested when people explain things to me - but underneath.........!  Hopefully, I'll have some answers from the CT scan I had a couple of weeks back.  I'm working on the assumption that "no news is good news" - if there was a major problem, I'm sure by now I would of heard about it all !!

So, I'm here - typing these words & listening to a 'new' Dio Cd.... It's the soundtrack to 'Evil or Divine - Live In New York' DVD that I got some time ago.  It's really a good listen, tho' there are some (not quite so good) edits on it - sort of spoils the flow of the thing.  Still, it's good & will be added to the collection very shortly....

It's just coming to an end & very soon Roky Erickson's 'True Love Cast Out All Evil' will start.  I have to return it to the library on Monday of next week - so, I'm playing it for all it's worth, while I still have it here with me !!  At some point, I'll find a copy for myself - just haven't looked for it yet...... maybe next month !!

I love the lyric "Electricity hammered me, thru' my head....until nothing at all"  A big reference to how he was locked away for all those years & given - sorry - forced to have electric shock treatment !!  Read about this guy - he really was treated unfairly........ that's not just my opinion !!  It's the sort of stuff Hollywood would churn out & get paid millions for it - Erickson.... well - read for yourself !!

Yesterday - after a quick trip into town.... I really finished up the hall/landing painting - and by that I mean, I ain't doing anymore to it !!  Anything that I've missed now - well.... it's going to stay missed !!  There are only so many times I can 'touch up' bits that have been marked since the original paint was put on !!  Sure, the paint is still here in the house - until I finish the bathroom.... but, if anyone clips - scratches - marks it in anyway at all, it is staying the way it is !!  I can't keep going back over it time after time - well, I could - but, I'm not going to.... it is finished !! The curtains are back up - the various pictures & things are hanging & that's it folks !!  So, that's 2 bedrooms & the hall/landing done.... I'll try & get on with the bathroom & I hope that will be it - tho' I suspect the kitchen might come up in conversation at some point !!  We'll see..........

For today tho' - I'm having a rest....  I simply could not sleep last night !!  I spent several hours sat on the edge of the bed !!  The main problem being that, every time I lay flat (on the bed) - someone started putting pins in their 'voodoo doll' of yours truly & the pain just got worse & worse !!

So, about 2.30am I took some morphine for some of the pain & at about 4am, well - I took some painkilling tablets.... all that did was make me feel sleepy, but didn't really do much for the pain when I tried to lay flat !!  Anyhooo, B woke up about 6am, realised I was having problems and - as I had taken pain killers - gave me a small sleeping tablet to give me a few hours sleep........ that one worked !!  I woke up about

10am.  I felt like I had been run over by a bus, stiff & kind of aching - but at least I got some sleep !!

The plan today, is really to take it very easy.  No rushing about, no painting - just a quiet sit down - play some music & watch a DVD, maybe later...... a quiet day !!  If ever there such a thing in this home of ours with the music blasting out !!

The music of the moment is now Rush - from their 'Snakes & Arrows' tour, a couple or so years back....  I needed to speed things up a bit - Mr Erickson is very good - but I needed something with a "beat" to it for a while !!

Oh yes -when we were in town yesterday - we saw a lady from Church.  She said her Son had been poorly with a "belly ache".  Poetic justice really - he shouldn't of stuffed himself full of lollipops on Sunday !!  If he had only taken the one for himself & not taken the 5 we saw him with - well........ poetic justice, as I say !! 

For now, I must away - thanks for reading !!

Bye Bye

Sad Day !!

Hi & greetings to all of you out there.....

It's been a sad day here in England.... Our Daughter's hamster - 'Jerry' - passed away quietly in his sleep this afternoon.  I don't want to make light of the whole 'death' thing, but he will be really missed !!  ME was out at the time, so B did the best we could & buried the little mite out in the garden - he now has a pot of flowers covering his grave.... bless him.

Plus - if that isn't bad enough - her boyfriend's dog had to be put to sleep today.... so, all in all, not a good day for the 'kids'.  But, I'm sure they will get over it all in time.... life goes on.

As for the other 'kid' in our family, J... well - we've not heard anything from him since he left for Cardiff... we can only hope he is doing Ok & might think to call us at some point.... He did say he would be home - maybe - on Thursday, so we'll see what happens tomorrow !!  Time will tell & he's old enough & ugly enough to make his own life... for good or bad !!  We could call him. but....... we'll see.....

So, I'm here with ME sat not too far from me, both of us on our computers.  B has gone out to the gym for some class or another - I hope all this 'gym stuff' works out in the long run - she'll be really upset if the weight stays on after all her hard work !!

That's the family - as for the music of the moment... well, that's an old Gregg Allman 'live' tape from the '70s (the 1974 tour) - but it's been quite a good listening type of day !!  From Billy Joel, thru' Roky Erickson & Anvil - with some other stuff in between that I've forgotten about, I'm sure !!

I've started painting the bathroom today - just the walls (the easy ones) & while I've been up there, the music has been playing down here to keep me going !!  I think it's been about 4 years since it (the bathroom) was last painted - yep the Sister's were here at the time - so, it's been 4 years......  I'm only doing it to keep my stupid old mind fixed on something !!  So much is going on at the moment, that I need to focus, to stop myself going slightly doo-alley !!  I'm finding it hard going at the moment - so anything that I can do to take my mind off things - to keep my arms from folding up & stop flapping, helps !!

That might not make much sense - but, those of you who know me might understand ?!  There is only so much the drugs help with - yep, I know I said yesterday (or the day before) that I kind of need the pills & stuff, but sometimes.... well, sometimes they don't always help with everything !! 

So, today - I've been painting, playing music & reading.... it's not much I know, but - it helps me to get thru' the days when I'm feeling down, bluesy or whatever it's called when things get on top of me !! 

The music of the moment is now Tift Merritt's 'Buckingham Solo' live Cd - I needed a change from Mr Allman's boogie !!  Such a great voice this lady has got - check her out if you can. She really was good live, supporting Gregg Allman in Birmingham.  I doubt if we'll get to see her again, but I'm glad we had the chance, just once to see her - a short, but sweet moment !!  Plus, she was nice to talk to after the show....

Later tonight, in about 90 minutes, they're is the first part of a two part ducumentary, I want to watch..... if I stay awake that long !!  It's about the search & recovery of Liberty Bell 7 - the second manned spacecraft, the USA sent up in the '60s.  It sank on splash down & was thought to be lost - then somebody found it & brought it back to the surface....... it sounds kind of boring, as I'm writing this - but, it's the sort of thing I like watching !!  It's my sort of show.......

For now - I must away..... until next time !!

Bye Bye

Rupert Murdoch 0 - Pie Thrower 1

Hail & mighty greetings to all of you in the Cosmos - well, those of you who might read this !!

I was sat here with ME watching the Murdoch inquiry thingy & it got kind of boring, so she switched over to a cooking show.  I asked her to turn back for the 5pm news - we missed the best part of the day !!  A phantom pie thrower had got thru' security & hit the guy !!  See, that's what you get for channel hopping !! Oh well.......

I was also watching a programme earlier about people who skim the benefit system - how the hell do they get away with it ?  I work & payed my taxes all my working life (before I became sick) - yet B & I have had to fight for every last penny of my our money !!  There was a 27 year old lady on the show, she has 6 children, with another on the way & she gets £1,700 a month !!  There is something very wrong somewhere !!

Last moan of the day coming up.....  We heard back from 'Storm' about ME's broken bracelet - they are completely uninterested in replacing it.  So much for customer relations - my advice, don't buy anything with their (Storm) label or from any of their shops !!  It stinks - it really does !!

Right - it's a Tuesday & as stated, I'm here with ME.  She has just found out she has passed her last essay of her Year 2 studies... to say the least, she is well happy with that !!  It was the last thing needed for her second year & now it's all behind her - tho' she had already done enough (I think) to do her 3rd & last year.  I'm really pleased for her !!  As I just said to her - she has not only finished her 2nd year - but, with the 2 years at college, before going on to Uni... well, this is her 4th year at her studies - well pleased for her !!

As for the other members of the family, J is still in Cardiff (I guess) & might be home on Thursday... as for the lady of the house, my Wife & Dearest Friend, she is out at Weight Watchers.  I have to fit her new tyre & wheel back on her bike at some point - not tonight tho'...... maybe in the morning, I'll see.

The music of the moment - well, I've just turned off Hawkwind's 3rd album....  The inquiry has just re-started with Mrs Brooks giving evidence - I would prefer music, but I wanted to hear what she had to say.  Kind of interesting to hear what is going on, or what went on....  I'll put the music on again later.

I've been in bed a lot of today - so, there hasn't been that much music in this old house of ours today.... but, earlier I was playing the Iced Earth box set 'Festivals of the Wicked' - I really like this set !!  The DVDs are really well filmed & the Cd plays really well - to my ears anyways !!  There is a 3 Cd live set of theirs on Play.com & I might try & get that somewhere down the road.  It's a bit expensive at around the £25 mark, but it looks good....... I'll just have to save my cash for a while & pick it up later in the year, if it's still about.

I had an e-mail from my friend in South America & - (if all goes well) - he is going to get me a copy of Zeppelin's Seattle '75 show.  I already have a copy of the audience tape - this new one is a soundboard recording.  It'll be nice to have a copy in the collection..... along with the rest of them !!

My friend seems to be doing well in his new life out there - good on him I say !!  To up-root & move across the World...... good on him & if you read this, good for you !!

So what else is new - very little really....... it's been a kind of slow day - slower than normal at least !!  I've already written, that I have been in bed most of the day.  I had a really up & down kind of night - so today I needed to catch up a bit on "sleep time" !!  Never mind - things will get batter as time goes on - or at least, I hope so !!

Thankfully, apart from resting, I have a shed load of pills & potions here to help me.... I know people, or at least some people, do not like taking pills & stuff - but, to be honest - I've no idea how I would be with-out them !!  The pills work, the Doctors help & so does the love of my family + quiet prayer keeps me going thru' the days & nights.  I'm really pleased we were able to get back to Church on Sunday - hopefully we'll be able to go again this coming weekend as well.... we'll see how things go.  I think the nurse is coming back to see me soon - I asked B earlier & she said she was... such a nice lady !!  I don't think I deserve her time - but....... I'm glad she takes the time to come & see me.

The plan for tonight - in a minute - is to sort myself out for bed & start a new book, that came yesterday.  I might have already said, but it's called 'Fields of Honor' (by Edwin C Bearss) & concerns the battles of the American Civil War.  I love history 'stuff' & B sorted me out this copy to read.  I've been reading 'True Grit' (by Charlse Portis) which has been a good read..... maybe too much like the films (or visa versa) - but, a good read anyhooo.

That's about it for today folks - sleep tight....

Bye Bye

Do the Welsh know what they are getting ?

Hail almighty Worlds of the Internet - how you all doing this fine day !!

Right - it's a Monday & I'm home alone tonight !!  The ladies of the house have just gone out to the gym & J has gone up to Cardiff to stay with a girlfriend....... yep, a "girlfriend" !!  I know very little about the situation - other than he posted on his blog that "the move has begun" or something like that.  I asked him about it all this morning, only to be met with a dazed & confused look - he seemed surprised that I knew anything about it.... why should I know, I'm only his Father after all !!  Never mind - he is getting on in years, so he'll have to learn by his own mistakes at some point along the road !!

Anyhoo - B & I took him to the station this morning and off he went..... so, with the girls out & J in Wales, I'm here on my own - apart from the 3 cats.  The last time I saw them, they were all asleep on our bed - situation normal there then !!

It's quite a strange night outside - one minute it's pouring with rain - the next, as now, it's starting to brighten up a bit.  ME & her boyfriend were going over to Yeovil this morning - but, because of the rain, they only went as far as Taunton...... I can think of better places to go in the rain (like staying in bed) - never mind !!

The music of the moment is a 3 Cd set - a compilation - called 'Prog Rock'... it came out in 2003 & I found it earlier when I was looking thru' some of the shelves.  I forgot I had it really, so I thought I would give it a listen.

I was thinking about something a few days ago - about when I first started buying music, all those years ago..

I can not remember which album it was - my memory is not that good - but, I can remember it was my 25th album !!  I felt really chuffed about it at the time.... I had 25 bit's of plastic & I was over the moon about it.  The same with cassettes - I remember having about 3 or so tapes & thinking that one day I might have a few more !!

Those of you who know me, well - you'll know that a few more came & went... now it's up around the

3-4,000 as far as tapes go - tho' I've not bought any in many a moon.  As for the Lp's - I think it was up to about the 2,000 mark when I started to sell them off....... now, it's Cd's & I'm not sure exactly how many we've got - but it has to be up around the 3,000 or so by now !!  Still, it keeps me happy & as long we're happy in life - well, what more can we ask for !!

B & I were talking about the Cd's the other night.  The first 3 we bought were by Eric Clapton, Deep Purple & Bruce Springsteen.  We bought 3 - mainly as we had a Cd player  (which I bought B as a wedding present) but nothing to play them on !!  So, I went out & picked up 3 as a bit of a starter - then, well - things just went on from there !!

I was over the moon when I found my first Zeppelin bootleg Cd, now we have so many - I've lost count.... it's more than a few & that's for sure !!  But, I'm happy & B is happy that I have an interest in something that keeps me happy - if that makes any sense at all ?!  I will never part with my Cd's - well, I hope I won't !!

Today, while in town, I took out some extra insurance - to cover the cost of my funeral expenses (lovely subject).... the guy seemed surprised that we do not smoke or drink - seems like we're in a minority of his customers !!  No, I don't smoke or drink - I just listen to music & thank the Lord for every day I have to enjoy it !!  At the moment I'm listening to a track by Gentle Giant called something or another - I probably will not play this again for "yonks", but for now is coming out of the speakers quite nicely, thank you !!

When we got home from town, I finished the painting !!  That's not exactly true - I finished the bit I was doing....  I have a bit of wood to do & some touching up on bits I've missed or didn't do right first time around - then I'm starting work on the bathroom (I think)..... depending on which one (bathroom or kitchen) B wants me to do.  The bathroom would be easier - it's smaller for one thing !!  I'll see which one  takes the priority & get on with it, depending on how I feel at the time !!

It seems like I've been painting for ages - but, in a way I have !!  Only doing the bits I can do, when my body will let me & what have you - but, at least it's getting it done & that is something I know B was keen on.  Still, it's been a good bit of fun - getting covered in paint & making sure the cats don't rub up against the wet walls etc etc !!  Oh well........

I'm not sure what the plan is for the rest of the week - probably very little - but, if all goes well - I'll get a good start on the bathroom & hopefully get it finshed quicker that the hall/landing areas.... we'll see - have to decide what colour to do it first !!  White would be good - I've got too much of that left over to thro' away, see what my better part says on the subject !!

Anyhooo - it's pushing towards 7pm & I must away to my bed..... it is early, but, until I can get a few good nights sleep under my belt - well, I guess I'll just remain the ways I am !!  For now..... with Procol Harum playing in the background..... thank you for reading !!

Bye Bye

Spoilt Brats !!

Hi again Worlds out there in "Internet Land"

It's a Sunday here in good o' England & the music of the moment is Queensryche's latest 'Dedicated To Chaos'  That really does sound like they have been in our kid's rooms !!  No matter how old they get, the mess seems to still be there - never mind.... one day they might move out & we'll wonder what to do with the space !!

Talking of the kids... J is upstairs, & ME is out at work today - B (my Wife & Dearest Friend) is at this very moment cleaning up her room....... "why ?" I ask - there has to be some logic there I've missed... never mind.

It's a quiet day to day - we went out to Church this morning, we had to leave earlier than I would of liked, but I was 'fading' fast - still it was nice to go again..... we've missed a few weeks, so........ !!

Here is something for you all to think about !!  There are about 20 or so 'children' at the Church & I like to take a packet of 'sweets' for them..... especially the little ones, bless them.  So, today, I took a packet of 25 lollipops - enough for one each - or so I thought !!  One family spoilt it for the others by taking so many, that the other kids went with-out !!  One 12 year old had 4 in his hand + one in his mouth !!  How tight is that ? 

It all comes back to greed & - I feel - the way they're brought up at home !!   We're meant to be an example to our children - so........... !!  Next time, I'm going to keep the 'sweets' with me & make sure they get one each - why should some go with-out simply because others are spoilt brats !!  Never mind - life goes on.....

Enough moaning - for now - it's going to be a very quiet, lazy afternoon for me.  I'm finding it very hard to sleep at night at the moment, so I'm going to rest up for the rest of the day.  As I say, a lazy sort of day !!

Bye Bye

Bastile Day ?

Hi ya Worlds - how are you this fine Bastille Day.... or am I a month out ?

So, it's another beautiful day here in the wilds of England - the sun is out, the sky is blue & what clouds there are......  well, they're all sort of white & fluffy !!  Anyhooooo it's a nice end to a, not so bad kind of, day !!

For a change, there is no music playing as I type - J is here sat watching 'Back To The Future 2'..... so until that finishes, the music will remain quiet !!  Tho' earlier today, Led Zeppelin was blasting it's way around the place.

We went into town earlier & on the ways home, I saw a sign for something that was happening on the 17th.... so that put the idea into my old brain of playing their Seattle 17-7-77 show.  It was here on the shelf & sounded really good - especially as I was painting at the time, so a little 'mood music' to help the task go a little easier !!

For those interested, it was the 'Jupiter and Saturn' bootleg of the show - the soundboard recording on 3 Cd's....... probably the best version I have of the show & believe me, I have heard most of them !!  The concert recording has been out for years - but, well - for me - it's the best version !!

As for the family - J is here as I've already mentioned... the ladies of the house have gone out to the gym.  I hope all this gym stuff works out for them - they are both really getting into it... must be mad, but good luck to them !!  Gives them both something to do outside of the home.....

Last night, I went to bed quite early - to try & get a jump on today.... it didn't work !!  I woke up about 1.30am to sound of my neighbours going out in the car - I would have been a little more considerate - given the hour - but, no they made soooo much noise !! 

So, that was the end of my night.... I couldn't get back to sleep & in the end, came downstairs to watch 3 'Firefly' shows on DVD.  I wasn't paying too much attention to them, but it passed a couple of hours - just until I was tired enough to go back to bed.  Such an exciting life I have - I'm watching TV in the middle of the night !!  Never mind - it just means I'm a little more out of it tonight....... so who knows, maybe I'll sleep all night !!  Time will tell.........

The film has finished, so the music of the moment is Whitesnake's 'Live In The Heart Of The City' Cd - I've not played it for a while & it was here in front of me - so, why not......?  I used to have the Lp, so its great to have the Cd of the show.  It must have come a long time ago - oh well !!

I see from the 'stats', that some of you are reading these words in Sweden !!  "Hi ya" !!  I hope your days are long & the sun is bright for you !!  A big "hello" to all of you who read these words - it's great to know you're all out there..... keep reading, who knows - I might write something "interesting" one day !!

Tomorrow is Friday & I think we're all here - at home - for a change !!  ME needs to have a  break from Uni & work.... she needs to have a sleep in..... J on the other hand - well, he'll just get up as normal - about mid morning I guess !!  Me, I have to be up & ready quite early - I have two people coming around to see me at 11.30am... so, I need to be wide awake for then !!  Why they need to actually come & see me - well, I'll find out in the morning.... life will go on & so must I........ until next time.......

Bye Bye

Iced Earth - So it must be a Wednesday !!

Hello to you Worlds - how you all doing this fine Wednesday ? 

Well, it's been a so-so sort of day..... nothing too exciting happening here in good o' England !!  It's quite a nice night outside - can see right across to the sea ...... bit misty tho' !!

I had a plan today... the idea to get on with the last bit of painting.  B & J were off into town this morning & my plan was to do the painting while they were out...... as it turned out - I went with them, so all my great plans went out the window !!  Never mind - we did some food shopping while we  were out, so that will save time another day...... tho' I did find myself falling "asleep" in the supermarket !!  In the end, I had a fizzy drink to replace some 'sugar' & I was up & running again...... nothing to worry about, I just ran out of "get up and go" juice !!

The family are here tonight - well, all but B - who went out to a class a while back.... she has just phoned - the class was cancelled !!  So she is going to spend a bit of time in the gym while she is in town, rather than come home & waste the trip.  J & ME are upstairs at the moment - ME is going out in a while tho'....

Talking of ME - she bought a bracelet thing while on holiday last September & it's broken.  So she sent it back to the place where it came from & they are refusing to replace it !!  That stinks !!  It cost quite a bit & it's not been mis-used or anything - so, it stinks !! 

So, if you're thinking of buying anything from 'Storm' think again - they are a con job of the biggest kind & don't give a s**t about the customer !!  We had it checked out by an independent guy & he says it's just not up to it - "not fit for purpose" in his words... so, I've written them a 'nice' e-mail asking them to re-consider.

I doubt if they will do anything, but.... stay away from 'Storm' shops - they stink, it stinks - they got their money & don't give a toss about the customer !!  Onwards........

The music of the moment is Iced Earth's 'Festivals Of The Wicked' Cd - part of the box set we picked up in Birmingham the other weekend.  It's very heavy & rocks along quite nicely thank you !!  It's been a "rock" sort of evening - Judas Priest - Linkin Park & now Iced Earth - just a quiet night in the family household !!  I do like the words to 'Declaration Day' - kind of hit a spot with me.... check it out !!

My plan tonight is to get off to bed early - well, earlier than normal..... I'm just running out of steam at the moment.  My health problems do this to me, I'm sorry to say.  One day I'm fine, then another I'm 'out of it' for hours at a time.... it's not a problem - I just don't go a lot on the fact that I can keep things together as much as I used to !!  That really bothers me...... if I go to bed early tonight, I might benefit tomorrow - we'll see !!

Oh - I picked up a copy of 'True Grit' - the novel, not the film.  I wasn't reading anything at the moment, so I thought I would give it a try - I like the films (old & new) so, it be interesting to give the book a read.

For once, I have had no 'new' Cds today - but, that's not such a bad thing - there are at least 50 in front of me that need to be looked at, so........ I must get on with it all really !!  There is a 'new' Dio one on it's way to me.  It's a copy of the 'Evil Or Devine' DVD soundtrack - I've had the DVD for some while now, so it'll be interesting to here the soundtrack.  Another Cd for the pile I guess......

I have the Allman's 'Beacon 2011' box set to reach me at some point down the line & I'm really looking forward to that one getting here - all 13 shows + 2 bonus concerts...... "kid in a candy store" comes to mind !!  When that gets here it'll be wall to wall Allman Brothers for at least a week - great stuff, I can't wait !! B will probably be out in the garden a lot that week... we'll see !!

I must away - nearly 8pm & I really do need my beauty sleep tonight !!  For now.......

Bye Bye

"True Love Cast Out All Evil"

Greetings Worlds - how are you rotating this fine day ?

Well, it's another Tuesday & I'm feeling kind of tired out... it seems to have been a very long day & it's catching up with me a bit !!  I had to be up 'early' this morning for a 9.45am hospital visit.... it went pretty well - I think - tho' the consultant I saw (for the first time today) wasn't tooooooo happy to see me.  I got the idea that, he felt, my (mouth) problem could of been sorted out before I got as far as seeing him.... never mind !!  Sometime in the next couple of months I have to go back in for a surgery, nothing exciting - I'm glad to say - just got to wait for a date.  Hopefully not too far in the future.......

My second hospital visit of the day went even better !!  It was for a brain CT scan & I was due there at 12.45pm... so we got there a little early & I went almost straight in, had the scan & was on my ways home - more or less - before the actual appointment time !!  Pretty good really.......... even better, we have confirmation that there is a brain in this old head of mine !!  If all goes well, it'll show there is no major problems  & I can get back to this so called life of mine !!  I won't moan really - it's better to have a scan & find nothing, rather than have the 'worry' of not knowing...... if that makes any sense at all ?!!

As it was, I was just getting comfortable on the scan thingy & I was sort of drifting off to sleep - then it was all done !!  Great fun......... from there we went to a garden centre, then home.  Such an exciting day !!

Oh we went into Taunton, on the ways to the hospital - I needed a drink - & called in a couple we know.  They run a nice shop in the centre there & they have just moved to a new (better) location - so we called in to wish them well.  I don't think my idea of a 'train set'(in their new big window) will be taken up - but it was nice to see them anyhoooooo !!

Ok - the family are - again - mostly out....... J is upstairs to keep an eye on me - B is out & I'm not 100% where ME is.  I know she had to go to Uni this morning, but where she is at the moment, well - I've no idea really !!  She'll be back later I guess........

As for the music of the moment - it was a 'live' Judas Priest album (when I started) but now it's a Roky Erickson album I picked up from the library in Taunton..... I'm not sure exactly what it's called, as there are several things written on the cover that could be a title.... I'll look into it at some point & find out more !!

So today's music feast - added to the collection - has included the Judas Priest album mentioned above 'Unleashed In The East' + another Tift Merritt album called 'Tambourine' & also an old Hawkwind album called 'Doremi Fasol Latido'....... ah, the simplest of names, maybe I'll remember this one !!  I really must complete my Cd list soon - it's nearly done... just another 100 (or so) Cds to add to it !!  Maybe tomorrow - tho' I still have a little painting to finish off first....... I think I better do that ahead of other stuff !!

I've just checked 'Gracenote' - the Roky Erickson is called 'True Love Cast Out All Evil'...... I would of thought it should be 'Casts' - but that's what it says here !!  I guess, it's a past tense thing. Check out this guy on the web - he has had such a grim life....... interesting, but grim. 

Right, that's about it for now.... I must away & sort myself out - I really am feeling very tired !!  It was good to get out again today, sometimes all I really want to do is stay indoors - trouble is then, unless I have stuff to do........ well, life goes on !!  For now......

Bye Bye

It's Monday & It's Linkin Park !!

Hail & Excellent Greetings Worlds - I hope you're all doing well ?

Well, it's another Monday & as stated - the music of the moment is Linkin Park... a DVD of their Madrid show.  I'm not sure of the exact date - I think it's from November 7th 2010 - I might be wrong on that one..

it's part of the 'A Thousand Suns' Cd/DVD release. Played loud enough, it's a good way to mask the 'pain' !!  Not that I need to play anything loud to kill the 'pain' - but - well, it's music & I like my music just below deafening...... you know, "ear bleeding stuff" !!  Onwards......

The family are mostly out at the moment....  My Dearest Friend & Wife, B is with our Daughter, ME at the gym - so they are really out..... our Son, J - well ......... being J, he's just "out" most of the time !!  I blame the parents & as that's us - we only have ourselves to blame !!  No really, he's a good lad - compared to some, he's an "Angel" - so, apart from not having a job or a clue about what he wants to do, well.........

B has a cousin & her Son (her youngest) seems to be a real pain in the butt compared to J !!  Each to their own I guess - blame the parents I say !!

Oh yes - I was asked about the Tift Merritt albums - the lady who did support for Greeg Allman last weekend.  The ones we have are 'Home Is Loud' (2009) 'Buckingham Solo (2008) 'Another Country' (2008) 'Bramble Rose' (2002) & 'See You On The Moon' (2010)..... there is another one about - but that's not here yet.  I like the 'Buckingham Solo' the best at the moment - it's does exactly what it says on the tin - her, solo... just like when we saw her.  Check them all out, they are all good !!........ so is the Queensryche Cd I mentioned a day or two back !!

I think this DVD will land up on Cd - it rocks along quite nicely for these old ears of mine !!  Mind you, my old ears are pretty much passed their "sell by date" - not too worry, it still seems like they work alright to me !!

How was your weekend ?  Mine didn't go very well.........  I felt poorly most of Saturday &  just spent the day sleeping, then Sunday was a complete wash out !!  We were all set to go to Church, but - as I e-mailed the Bishop - by 10.45am, it was pretty obvious I wasn't going very far - so I reluctantly "thru' in the towel" & went back to sleep.

I really wanted to go this weekend, but as B said - I can't do everything I want... I would like to, but it didn't happen.... quite upset about it really !!  Hopefully, next weekend - tho' I'm back into hospital tomorrow, to have my mouth/throat checked out & later (at another hospital) to have a CT scan !!  At least that's two appointments out the way - shame I have to travel between the two hospitals tho' - never mind !!

I did go out yesterday tho' - to rescue B !!  She went out on her bike for a ride around (all put of the keep fit thing) & she called J to say her rear tyre had blown out !!  She put too much air into it & it went "bang" !!  So, I got my sleepers on & drove the car the couple of miles to find her !!  That's the first time I've driven in what seems forever - yes, I know I'm not 100% (health wise) to drive anymore - but I had to go help her - I didn't know if she was hurt or anything....... I'm glad to say she was Ok, so we loaded up the bike & B drove us home !!  Maybe I'll drive it again in a couple of years - probably not tho'.... I did not feel safe behind the wheel & won't be doing it again unless I "have " to !!  The insurance covers me - I just don't feel happy behind the wheel anymore !!

So that's about it for now - I have an 'early' start tomorrow, so I must away to my bed..... such is life & Linkin Park are still playing in the background - well good DVD - soon to be a Cd me thinks - Chester's voice seems on top form !!

My arms are giving up, no matter how hard I try, I can't keep this up much longer, please don't cry - I'm sorry........

Bye Bye

Wet & I have music to play....

Hail to you all Worlds !!

Today is a Friday & I'm really pleased we went to Birmingham last weekend - the forecast is wet & horrid, so it looks like we picked a good one !!  It's raining 'cats & dogs' outside - it's meant to be showers today or so the BBC said .... some showers !!  Never mind - it's dry in here, so........ onwards.

The ladies of the house have gone to the gym - must be mad - but, that's what they want to do..... that leaves me & J here to keep house.  He is upstairs someplace & I'm here in the living room.  Only a few days ago, I thought it would be nice to have a laptop - so I could sit outside & do these posts....... I think today - well, I'd need a canoe or at least a rubber ring to keep me afloat !!  It's very wet outside folks......

The music of the moment is Anvil's 'Past & Present - Live In Concert'.... it's well good !!  I only ever saw these guys once & they left quite an impression on this old brain of mind .... this Cd is one of those we picked up last weekend !!  Earlier I was playing a Cd by the Men Of The Morman Tabernacle Choir - now those guys can really sing.... honestly, they do some fantastic tracks !!  Don't let the thought of 'them' put you off......

... now the sun is out - weird !!

Back on music - in the post today, I had a copy of the new Queensryche Cd 'Dedcated To Chaos' (when did they look in J's room ?).... I'll give it a play in a second, see what it's like.  Their last one (I think) 'American Soldier' was well good - I'll give the new one a listen... certainly started loud enough !!

I'm not sure what the plan is for the weekend - hopefully involving staying dry - but... as part of my birthday pressy's.. at some point, we are going to go for a ride on the local steam railway.  We were going to go yesterday, but I'm glad we didn't - it would of been very wet to go walk-about in Minehead.... that's where the train stops & it's a pretty good little town, but not in the wet !!  I'm guessing we have to do some shopping - time will tell !!  for today tho' - its wet & I have music to play !!

I know we have to go into town at some point - so I'm thinking it'll be Saturday.  All being well, we'll get to Church this weekend...... I'll see how my health is come the day.  Didn't get much sleep last night.....

I kept hearing B's telephone going off - but I couldn't find it.... this was about 3am - anyhooo, I came down stairs & somebody knocked at the door.  It was P (our neighbour) was there in a bit of a state.  He had to go into the hospital & he needed to leave 'their' son with somebody - so B went over to his house to do the honours.  I do feel for him - his Mum died & he had to get there before she passed.  He didn't know who to call on - so he came to us, bless them.

They are one of our better neighbours & we'd do anything for them.......  we didn't get much sleep, but it didn't matter in the shape of things.

It's raining again !!  Oh well.........

I think I must better away - it's 4pm & I have to take my afternoon med's..... B left them here for me someplace, all I have to do is remember where .... this Queensryche Cd is pretty good !!

Bye Bye

Happy Birthday To - ME !!

Hi again Worlds - I trust you're all well on this fine day ?

So - today is my birthday - "Happy Birthday To Me"........ it's been a wonderful day so far.  Pressy's from the kids & a tin of toffee from B - I'll attack that at some point along the ways, not today tho' !!

Talking of B - she has just gone out with ME, to get my 'birthday tea' - a kind of tradition in this old household of ours.  Whoever has the birthday gets to pick the 'tea'...... & as I know what the guys like, B has gone out to collect it !!  The other member of the family, J is here abouts to keep an eye on me..... but I feel pretty good today, so no problems there !!

I've had a couple of bad nights - but today seems to be OK...... the weather is fine, the music is loud & I've not got too much to moan about as far as this o' life of mine goes !!  Heck, it's my birthday, it's a great day !!

The music of the moment is the Gov't Mule discs I did a while back - from their 'Deepest End' DVD....  I really like disc 3 of the set - the 'Voodoo Chile' they do is really good !!  I play it over & over.... check out the DVD if you have chance !!

It feels very much like a weekend here - usually ME is out at Uni & we're rushing around - but, today we're all here abouts & it really does feel like a Saturday !!  Oh - this weekend is the British F1 Grand Prix & that is worth a recording.... we won't watch it Sunday, but it'll be a good watch later in the week at some point !!

In a little while, the 'Firefly' season is on the box - so I'm going to spend an hour watching that... it has a really good sense of fun about it which appeals to me.  I didn't watch it first time around, but - well, it's caught up with me a bit now !!  I really am not thinking of doing very much today - a bit of TV, some loud music & time with my family....... life is good !!

I've just had the postman come - one birthday card....... at least my family & 'true' friends love me !!

Bye Bye

For Every Bit Of Pleasure........

Hi Again Worlds Of And Future Galaxy Wide Alliance - Keep your breathing tubes handy !!

So it's a Wednesday & I've been paying for the trip over the weekend !!  I thought I would, I just didn't it to hit me with such a vengeance........ but, it has kept me in bed most of the day, getting over it - bummer !! 

I was awake for most of the night - the pain was just too much.  I was exhausted - my back felt like I was being kicked to death & as for rest of my body..... I had some fish yesterday, a big mistake, believe me !!  I just did too much in Birmingham & that was the problem.... I need a few days to get over it all & then I'll be fine !!

Talking of the Birmingham trip - there had been a chance I would of met with Gregg Allman, after the show, how cool would that of been ?!  My Dearest Friend & Wife B had come up with my friend over at "Hittin, The Note" - the Allman's web site.  The plan was I would be taken to see him after the show - unfortunately, Gregg's manager didn't make the trip, nor his best friend....... so, the two people who were going to get me in, were not there, so - no visit !!

It would of been a great way to finish the show, but never mind - the thought was there & tho' I never met Gregg, I had a good time anyways !!

Oh well - the family of the house are (B) keep fit class, (ME) out with boyfriend & (J) is upstairs someplace...... As for the music of the moment - that is 'Snaz' by Nazareth & a good bit of rock it is !!  It's a quiet night, so quiet music is the order of the day - not......... I'm off to bed !!

"Dreams...."

Hi again Worlds - I hope you are all well & happy ?  I am !!

Well - we're back !!  Our 24hrs in Birmingham were brilliant, to say the very least......  The sun was out, the shops were open & on top of all that, Greg Allman's concert was well good  - better than I could have ever wished for !!

ME (who is behind me cooking supper for J, who is here about someplace) took B & I into town to catch the coach.... we made it in good time, tho' the 4 hour trip was a little over the top.  It stopped for an hour in Bristol - but, not to worry, we made it to Birmingham on time..... about 1.30 pm.  From there, as we don't know the city at all, we took a taxi to the hotel - I'm glad we did, I don't think we would of found it without a great deal of head scratching !!

It was easy to spot tho' - all 16 floors of it !!  We were on the 13th, tho' we didn't take that as any kind of 'omen' - the room was very nice & we had great views out over the city, including the concert hall.... which, true to what the lady told me (when I booked the ticket) was right across the street - about 5 minutes walk, if that !!

Now, we were told that Birmingham was a bit of a dump & the shops were c**p etc etc - but, we found it just the opposite.  The people were friendly, the shops were brilliant & we had a lot of fun looking around Saturday afternoon !!  Then back to the hotel, for a meal - a quick 'clean up' & over to the concert hall at 7.30 pm.

Two things struck me about the audience - nearly all of us were 40+ (& had seen far better days) and, (secondly) - for a 2000 seat hall & such a well know performer - there were lots of empty seats... I very surprised by that !!  The hall was great tho' (The Symphony Hall) & the sound quality was really good.  Sometimes the volume can be over the top, but this time around, it was very good.......

To sort of emphasise the hall's qualities, the support - Tift Merritt - finished her set, by standing at the front of the stage & sang without any amplification..... her voice alone carried all around the hall !!  She was good & I think she could of done a couple more tracks, but time was against her...... it was 9 pm & Greg Allman ambled onto the stage !!

I won't even try to run thru' the whole set - but, when (part ways thru') he counted 1-2-3 & the band launched into 'Dreams', I was completely satisfied & that's really all I can say about it !!  As the lyric goes ... "..dreams I'll never see"... well, it made my night - it was the one track I wanted him to play & he did it !!  To see one of my all time favourite artist, in the flesh, playing one of my all time favourite tracks - well, what more could I ask for from a concert...... it made (that one track) everything about the trip 100% better than I could ever wish for !!

So we left the hall about 11.30pm - after a great, quiet, conversation with Tift Merritt, who signed her Cd's for us (which was a bonus) & headed back to the hotel..... pass some of of the weirdest scenes I've really ever seen !! 

The hall & hotel were on the same street as a bunch of night clubs & to say the least, some of the ladies were not exactly wearing a lot !!  Oh well, each to their own I guess - we went to a concert, they went to a night club !!  We came home with some T shirts & memories - I hate to imagine what they came home with !!  Each to their own.......

At the hotel, we had a fizzy drink (sorry Doc') & went up to our room with a view !!  We spent Sunday shopping - yea, I know - it was a Sabbath Day - but we had 'nothing' else to do for 5 hours until the coach left for the trip home.  I did look for the local Chapel - before we left - but I had no idea where abouts to look... shame really - I would of liked to have found one !!

The ride home was not so good - the passengers in front of us were a pain... We were told, due to my 'condition', that we would be allowed to get on first & sit in the front (as we were on the trip up) - unfortunately - the passengers 'bullied' the driver & despite what we were told + the intervention of a member of staff at the coach station, we had to settle for another seat & the 'nice' letter of complaint I mailed to the company to air my views !!  It spoit the trip home, but not the weekend - which nobody was going to take away from me !!

Some people were 'moaning' (after the concert) that Greg Allman didn't speak to them or make any attempt to go see them - as they waited at the stage door area.  Give the guy a break !!  He had just done a brilliant 2 hour show - just be grateful for that..... I was exhausted, I can't begin to imagine how he felt.  If any of you 'moaners' read this - get a life.  It was a concert - just because you want to hang around the stage door - he doesn't have to come out to see you !!

Ok, that was the weekend.  It was brilliant & I'm so glad we made the effort to go.... it cost more money than we could afford (to be honest) - but......  I don't regret a penny of it !!

Not only did we come home with some T shirts & memories - we also had lots of 'new' music to listen to.  Some Tift Merritt Cd's + ones by Anvil, Nazereth, Humble Pie & a box set by Iced Earth...... it's a 2 DVD + Cd set - lots of music !!  B (who is out at the moment) got some new stuff and I bought her a bangle, which she liked.  It was a great weekend & one we won't be repeating - something like that can not be repeated - it was once in a lifetime experience for me !!  Until next time..........

Bye Bye