The End Of The Beacon Shows !!

Hail & Hi To All You Worlds Out There - I trust you are all well ?

Well - it's another Wednesday & the end of another month..... how has your August been ?  Mine just seems to have flown by - as usual, I can't remember much about it !!  To be honest, I'm just pleased to be here writing these words - ain't life great !!

I didn't realise, until a little earlier, but - it's been 14 years ago (today) that Princess Diana was killed.  I remember it was a Sunday morning (I think) & we were living on one of our farms at the time.  J & I were going up to Bristol for a record fair, so I got up really early to check things out - so that B wouldn't have to worry too much about it, while I was away for the day.  I came back to the house - it was still like 7am or something & I put the news on & heard she had been killed in a car crash !!  Crazy - I can't remember what I was doing yesterday - but I can remember exactly what I was doing 14 years ago !!  Oh well.....

Talking of my better half - she is about 300 yards away, at the school - doing their Wednesday night fitness club thingy...... good for her I say !!  As for the other members of the family.... J is - as usual - upstairs on his computer & ME is out for supper with her boyfriend's family.  I think she'll be back later, tho' I'm not sure exactly...... she might be staying over.

As for the music - it's the very last disc of the Allman Brother's Beacon shows from earlier in the year - it's taken me a while - but I finally got to the end of them !!  After this - I have their two Wanee shows from April to listen to & then that will be the whole box set done & dusted !!  Great fun - Heaven knows what I'm going to listen to after that..... I've been playing the Allman's nearly non-stop for over a week now - so, time for a change I guess !!

Earlier I had to get B to drive me into town - to use the bank.  I've sorted out my funeral & stuff - but some reason, the people who are dealing with it, wanted to take out another 'payment' tomorrow.  After a couple of phone calls - yesterday & today - they were still going ahead with it - so I went to the bank & told them to with-hold payment.  If the company still want to take my money, then they will have to rob the bank !!  I could get them to stop taking the money, so I got the bank to stop giving it to them !!

I know it's a crazy subject to deal with - your own funeral - but, I ain't going to be ripped off while I'm still breathing - after I'm gone, they do what they want & bu**er them all !!  But not while I'm still warm & kicking !!

Also earlier - I found a DVD - which J had something to do with, back in 2008.... on it were my next door neighbour & his daughter.  As they had never (I guess) seen it - I got J to make a copy for them & B took it over.  The neighbour is in his late 80's or early 90's - so I thought he would like to have a copy.... hopefully they will enjoy it !!

As for the neighbour from hell - they are back from their summer holidays & it's back to situation normal !!  How can a family of 3 make soooooo much noise !!  Maybe I should record them & play it back even louder - so they can hear what everybody else can hear, day after day !!  Never mind.....

I found, also, one of my Church talks.  I've only done two & I've recorded both - not something I'm supposed to do according to the Elders !!  Anyhooo - I doubt if I'll get asked to do another one or - even for that matter get to hear others for sometime !!  It's a shame & I am upset about it all - but..... what can you do.... B & I are a partnership & her love means more to me than anything !!

I must away now - the Allman's are just wrapping up 'Whippin' Post' & that's a good enough reason for me to find something new to listen too.... for now.....

Bye Bye

Missed Me ?

Well, Hello Worlds -  I hope you've not missed me too much !!

I just realised, it's been a week (almost) since I last wrote anything.... so I hope you've not missed me too much !!  I have no excuse - just not been feeling like writing anything.  Call it "depression", call it anything - even "lazy".... I've just not been in the right frame of mind to sit here & type.

I can tell you, I was more than a little "upset" over the weekend & spent quite a bit of it in bed asleep.  We missed Church again, unfortunately - but hopefully we'll get to go back another time.  We'll see how things go.... it may not be for a while tho'.....

At the moment, there are 3 of us here in the house.  My Wife & Dearest Friend, B, has gone out to a gym class & to do a little shopping.  J & ME are upstairs someplace...... probably like me on the computer doing something.  It's noticeable that, when we're all on the computers, the speed thing slows down.  J says it doesn't - but I must say, I notice it down here more than he probably does on his newer 'machine' !!

Oh well....... I had to see my Dr this morning - "the old black left hand" has gone blue/black again !!  Honestly, I've done nothing to injure it - but it looks like I've given it an almighty wallop !!  He still says it's to do with a blood vessel breaking/bursting or whatever - it is really weird tho' !!

He is also going to contact one of my Consultants (again) - he wrote to him some weeks ago & as yet, we've heard nothing back - which is kind of a pain !!  Even if there is a waiting list - which there will be, I would of liked a letter or something !!  Oh well........

The music of the meoment is Gov't Mule's 'Hidden Treasures' Cd - it is the 3rd disc of the 'The Deep End' set I had a week or 2 back.  I'm just giving it a play, mainly as I have no real idea of whats on it - there isn't a track listing in the cd case or anything !!  So far so good - it's been a great listen.

I'm still working my way thru' the Allman's box set - I've got a couple more shows to play & it'll be done.  I just wanted a change today !! Plus, I have finished nearly all the Cd's - sorting them out & what have you !!  I have about 30 in front of me - that have no case or name.... so I'll have to listen to them, to see what they have on them !!  So, as I was listening to the Allman's, while sorting out the other discs.... well.... time for a change, as I say !!

I found something last night & I want to share it with you..... here goes.

"I am an individual..... my own distintive self with my own identity.  I am like a snow flake that is different from all others, with abilities and talents, emotions and opinions, ideas and beliefs.

I'll shape into a pattern never seen before.  Sensing quiet pride in my uniqueness"

That was written in a book, a friend once sent me, on April 20th 1985.  The friend was an American, called Joan Stenbridge Faulkner & I read it again, yesterday & - if you're out there Joan - your words still mean a lot to me !!

My plans today are - well, nothing at all really !!  I'm not sure what I'm going to do..... I've no plans or anything that needs me to fix it !!  That might sound kind of dumb.... but, since I finished the painting  a few weeks ago - well...... I'm at a loss what to do with my time at the moment !!  Not feeling 100% ain't helping either - oh well........

ME is behind me, fixing a grilled cheese thing - I hate the smell of it - it really stinks !!  I've always hated the smell of the stuff - as eating it, "no way".... I would be ill from the first moment it entered my mouth !!  Yuk !!

Bye Bye

Taunton - It was hell, but somebody had to do it !!

Hi ya, all you Worlds out there - how are things today ?

Well, as mentioned yesterday (I think) - we had to go into Taunton today.... mainly to use the bank, pay some bills & all that sort of stuff - it was hell !!  But, with our bank closed for the week - well... we didn't really have a lot of choice.  telling someone you're behind with a payment - just because the bank is shut - well, I don't think it would work too well !!

We took J into town for a quick meeting at the Job Centre (or what ever it's called now a days) & then all 3 of us headed into Taunton.  I do not like crowds - they really get to me & there were people everywhere... so I was not a "happy camper".  But, we did what we had to do & headed back to town to do some shopping.

That was a journey & a bit - as the motorway was solid due to an accident somewheres.  By luck, more than anything - we saw the traffic was at a stand still, before we got onto the slip road & were able to do a 'u-turn' & come home via the 'old' roads.  Of course, everybody had the same idea - so it was all kind of crazy.

Never mind - we did some quick shopping & headed home - by which time, I was out of it completely... so tired it was unreal !!  I headed towards bed & slept for about 2 hours or so - not waking up until nearly 5pm.  That was my day finished - it really was.... such excitement !!

Oh well..... the family are here about somewhere.  All except B who has gone back out to the gym class again.  ME is here with her boyfriend (M) & J is upstairs someplace.... I didn't remember M was going to be here for the night - oh well, no problem !!  Me & my memory..........

The music of the moment is - yep, you guessed it - the Allman Brothers - the concert from March 22nd this year.  I've played 8 of the concerts so far & they all have their own little quirks to enjoy !!  Different tracks most nights of the season at 'The Beacon' & something different to get my ears around as I play the Cds !!

I can not imagine some of today's bands doing 15 shows over a month & playing different sets like this - mind you, there are not many bands I like who do this sort of thing anymore !!  The Grateful Dead used to - but...... like most of the stuff I like, they are "mostly dead" as the Princess Bride would have you believe !!

Ok - my plan tonight - is to do pretty much nothing !!  I'm going upstairs in a while, get ready for bed & maybe watch Star Trek, before falling off to sleep again... such is my life !!  Oh well...... thanks for reading...

Bye Bye

Pink & Yellow Is The New Black !!

Well, "Hello" there Worlds - I hope your sky is blue-ish & your suns are bright !!

It's another Tuesday & I'm here - once again - listening to the Allman Brothers..... only another 6 or 7 concerts to go & I will have finished the 'Beacon 2011' box set.  I will then have to 'detox' my way back onto other music !!

Last night I was going thru' the Allman's web site - checking out what to listen to next - that means talking B into letting me have some more Cd's in the collection.... which might be a hard thing to do !!  We'll see how things go.... at the moment I'm just enjoying what I have here !!  Time will tell tho'.......

Right.  The family are mostly out at the moment.  B has just gone to a weight watchers meeting, ME is working until 6 or 7pm & J is sat here eating his supper.  That leaves me typing these words & enjoying the music !!  Life is great !!

It's been a very quiet day - for me, at least.  I have been asleep for most of it !!  I didn't have such a good night & the result was I had to sleep it off this afternoon, for a couple of hours.  I don't know what is wrong at the moment - but, I'm getting very fed up with the various 'pains' I'm having to put up with !!  Never mind - all in all, things have improved, so.........

...... the "left black hand" has gone back to a sort of pink & yellow hand now - but, for some reason, the pain has now gone to my wrist !!  Oh well - unless it drops off completely - it should heal up pretty soon !! Or at least, it better..........

I had a bit of a surprise today !!  I was on 'Yahoo', to check my mail & low & behold - I found these postings of mine looking right back at me !!  That was kind of weird - I write these words for anybody to read - but, to find them on 'Yahoo' was a little bit of a shock !!  I just didn't expect it..... hence it was a bit of a shock & a little weird !!

Also, a little weird - and I have to say a sorry to ME about it - I thought there was one of our cats stuck in her room in the night..... thinking she was out at her boyfriends all night, I just went in to look see & woke her up in the process !!  Ooooooooppppppppssss.....  I probably will not be allowed to live that down for a while - but, I just got turned around..... being semi-asleep & everything, so... as I say... oooppss !!  I will have to make it up to her at some point or somehow !!

The concert I'm playing at the moment, has probably been the least favourite of the box set so far..... it has, as back up (to the band) the Juke Horns and for me, the 5 of them tend to block out the rest of the music.

I was a little concerned, when we saw Gregg Allman last month - when I saw a bunch of brass instruments lined up on stage, that it might not be so good... but, the guy who played them was really good & it added to the whole sound... rather than spoiling it !!  Oh well....... concert 7 has just ended - so I'm now onto concert 8 & more than 50% ways thru' the shows.  I'll probably have them done & dusted by the end of the week...... B will be pleased - I think she is getting a little OD'd on the Allmans at the moment !!

I had a letter today, from the police - in Bristol...... I'm guessing their head office or something.  It's about the "neighbour from hell" & the way they (the police) handled it when they came out.  It's some kind of 'feedback' type of thing & they are going to phone me up, to ask a few questions about it all....... kind of strange !!

Never mind - it will give me chance to say a few things.... nothing nasty - all in all, I'm pleased with what they did & how things have turned out.  I just didn't expect to have a letter about it all - especially after 2 weeks or so !!

Talking of neighbours, one of them made B laugh earlier - the kids were running riot in the street (as kid do) & she said she would tell one of their Mums - unless they calmed down a bit !!  It seems that - as she lives next door to them - they were running around the house & the such like.  Knowing that his Mum is a bit tight on what he does & she wasn't home - I think it was to slow him down a bit !!  B laughed about it tho' - it wasn't the sort of thing the lady says or does - but, the result was - the kids did quiet down.... a lot !!  I don't think she will tell his Mum, but the thought that she would - well - it worked !!

The plans tomorrow seem to be pretty 'strange' - for me at least.  I think we are taking J into town & then we are heading towards Taunton.... to use the bank again.  From there, we have to get back to town - do some shopping & then (I hope) home.  Now, that might not sound too bad - but, it is a lot of running around & to be honest, I'm not looking forward to it all !!  But - I'll fill you in on how it turns out....... for tonight tho' - it's back to the Allmans........ until next time....

Bye Bye

The Black Left hand - The story continues !!

Hail & hearty "Hello's" to all you Worlds of the Internet Universe !!

It's a lovely Monday, here in old England - the sun is out, the sky is blue & the few clouds that there are - well, they are all white & fluffy !!  I thinks it's a nice day to be alive......

My day started off really early... if I don't count all the bathroom trips during the night that is......  B got me up before 9, as I had to go down to the village for a haircut - that's 2 I've had in the last 6 weeks !!  But, there is a new hair dresser in the village & she is really good !!  I do not like going into any hair place - especially if there are a lot of people around - but, this new lady understands my condition & cuts my hair when there is no one else booked in - that is great !!  So - this morning was hair cut time & then we had to head towards Taunton, to use the bank...... our local branch is shut for a week & Taunton is the next nearest.

We only went into the bank & looked at a shop that, usually, sells some cheap CDR's for my Sony system - but, today, they didn't have any - which was a bit of a let down..... I know I can buy them in HMV, but they work out too expensive for my pocket - so, I came home with out any !!  Tho' - B did let me pick up an Allman Brother's Cd that I didn't have - so that was a bonus, mainly because it was really cheap  !!

It's a remastered version of their 'famous' Fillmore East show in 1971.... I used to have the 2 LP set, but this version is all packed onto one Cd - so that should be good - I'll probably give it a listen in a while.  At the moment, the music is - again - the Allman's....  & again, another of the box set concerts.  I have one Cd of this show to finish listening too - then I can put it back in the box...... having made sure it plays Ok !!  Enough of music.....

The family are out & about - except J of course.... who, I think, if he went out, would fall apart like a vampire in direct sunlight !!  He is upstairs at the moment - B has gone into the gym for a couple of hours & ME.... well, she is out - but I'm not sure where today.  I think with her boyfriend someplace - not sure !!

Me - well, I'm not sure exactly what to do this afternoon..... having finished the bulk of the Cd's - well, I'm at a bit of a loose end as what to do next !!  There are a pile of DVD's I need to tidy away - but I can do that in a few minutes, so that will not exactly keep me going for very long at all !!

Oh yes - we missed Church again yesterday....... can't really blame anybody tho'.  A friend of ours showed up as we were getting ready to go & - to be honest - we didn't feel we could just walk out & leave him.  He had made the effort to come over (about a 20 mile drive) & we hadn't seen each other for quite a long time - well, altho' we were going to go (to Church)... it didn't seem right to just walk out on him !!  It was the same guy, I wrote about on Friday - his birthday..... he had got our card & decided to drive out to see us.

In the end, he stayed for quite a while & (for me) it became a long day - but, it was good to see him again.  Oh well - I did e-mail the Bishop to say "sorry" - but, I think it was only polite to stay home, under the circumstances.  

I know some people, in the Church, will have a little moan about our absence... but...... life goes on - hopefully we'll be able to go next weekend.  We'll see how I am & what happens..... which leads me into the 'Black Left Hand' update !!

It's not black any more ("yippeeee") but, it is a kind of pale yellow colour.... kind of like when people smoke a lot & their fingers go a yucky yellow stained sort of thing - if you know what I mean ?  The 'big' problem (no pun intended) is the swelling - it's really nasty now & hurts quite a bit !!  I'm using a bandage thing - to try & support it, but I'm not sure if it's making things better or worse !!  It's not nice & hopefully it'll settle down in a few days......

ME had written something about it on her 'face book' page & when I went into the hair dressers this morning D (my hairdresser) was going to ask me about it...... until she saw what it looked like & realised you couldn't miss (seeing) it !!  Oh well...... if it keeps getting 'bigger', I'll have to mention it again to my Dr & see if we can work something out about it - time will tell I guess. 

I was a little down hearted this morning.  As regular readers will know, I'm waiting to go into hospital to have an implant - well, in the post this morning was a letter from the hospital & I really was expecting it to be a date for the surgery..... it wasn't.  It was just a letter from my consultant, to say my blood tests were Ok & what have you - "bummer" !!  That was a little bit of a let down, tho' she did say she was going to 'speak' to one of my other consultants - to try & hurry him along a bit & get it all fitted.  that is nice of her.  She knows more about what's happening to me than anyone, I guess, so...... she knows how much it will mean to us- not just me, but the family as well - to have done out the way.  Again - time will tell.........

Ok - I've just put the 'new' Allman's Cd in & it's really good.. well, compared to the old copy I have at least !!

I'll enjoy playing this for a while ....  Yes, I know... it is another Allman Brother's Cd - but..... I like my music, I really do - & I'm always surprised by how many times things, sort of, take me by surprise & "cheer" me up when I'm listening to them.  What the heck B is going to do with all these Cd's - well..... she'll sort that out when the time comes I guess - if nothing else, I know a few friends who'll give her a hand going thru' them & (I'm sure) take the more valuable ones off her hands !!  At life great & what's more - I'm enjoying it at the moment !!  Well, more than I was a week or two back..... I'm allowed the odd "off day"...... I hope !!

A little later - about 5pm -'Star Trek' is on TV..... I'm not the World's biggest fan or Trekkie (or what ever they are called) but, I do like watching the old ones.  Some of them, I honestly have not seen in years - but when they start - well, it's like "I remember this one" & what have you !!  I am an old sad person at times !!  But, it keeps me off the streets & compared to many, many others in this World of ours - I have very little to complain about..... not really !! 

I must away & try & sort out these DVDs that are about the place... I have an empty box somewhere & - I hope - they will fit in there.  Whatever - it's got to be better than spread out all over the place, as they are now !!  Until next time

Bye Bye

The Black Left Hand - the next generation !!

Hi-de-hi Worlds of our knowing, but little understanding....... I hope you're all well !!

I'm well... our son J is behind me, getting his 'tea' & he seems pretty good...... our daughter ME is out for the day with her boyfriend & B (My Wife & Dearest Friend) has gone out to her Aunt's 50th anniversary 'party'.  I didn't think I was invited, but B says I was - I just don't remember it !!  My understanding of the thing was different to B & my memory is pretty 'shot' these days...... so, I guess, I'll take her word for it.  Onwards...... without B - well, I wouldn't know where I was or would be !!

It's been a quiet day - I've not been too far (outside) at all today - not even into the garden !!  My only excursion was to the Dr's office - I sort of went outside, but only as far as the car..... his office is only in the village. Anyhooooo - the Dr has had a look at my hand (again) & he is convinced it was caused by a burst blood thingy.  It is getting better & the 'blackness' is going more to a sort of horrid yellow colour + the swelling has gone down a bit more over night... so......

It is really weird tho' - there is this sort of lump, in my hand, that you can push around, under the skin !!  He thinks (only thinks ?) it will go away in it's own time - I hope so .... at the moment, it is very spooky to say the least !!  I know ME has joked about putting a pin in it, to let the "gunk" out - even the Dr said as much this morning - but, I don't fancy that too much !! He didn't want to do it, in case of infection or what have you - me.... well - I just didn't want him to do it !!  I've got enough problems with it - without an infection as well .. life goes on & on.... all kind of gross tho'.......

The big news of the day is.... I've finally finished sorting out the Cd's & now most of them are in an 'A-Z' order. Yippeeeee !!  The original plan was to have it all done by my birthday.... two years ago !!  Yep, I got a little behind - but, it's done now.  the only discs out of order are the few hundred on a set of wall units in front of me + the new ones that have reached me over the last few weeks or so..... but, I've actually finished !!

This is probably the best the Cd's have ever been sorted - well, since we got a load of them.  When we started buying them 20 odd years ago, well - we had so few of them, that could all fit in your hand... now, I'm guessing, we have about 3000 or so.  I've not done a final count up as yet, but - including all the Zeppelin stuff... well..... there is at least 3000.  I'll have a count up at some point..... not today tho'....  It does mean tho', when I actual die, B will have a far better idea of where things are.  That was my main reason for doing them - to help her out..... when ever that turns out to be, not today tho' !!  I seem to be using the phrase too much today......

No surprise on the music of the moment.... it's still the Allman's 'Beacon 2011' box set.  I'm up to concert 6 (out of 15) & I'll still be playing them most of this coming week I guess !!  Each one is clocking in at about 3 hours - so.... even with the best will in the World, it's going to take me a while !!

I am enjoying listening to them tho' - especially without looking at the track list, it all becomes a bit of a surprise as to what is coming next !!  What was a big surprise tho' - I looked at an English web site last night (I think) & it has a copy of the box set advertised at £499 !!  That's way too expensive - even for me & I'm a big Allman's fan !!  I guess, the place selling it, has to make a profit - but.... that's just tooooo much !!  Oh well.......

So, that's the family & the music in my life.... well - at this moment in time...... My plans tonight are pretty easy, with B out until late (not 100% sure when she'll be home) - well, I have the roam of the place to myself.  That's if I ignore the kids & as hard as that is to do - I might just 'shut down' for the night & take it easy !!

We have two friends birthday's today !! C is a guy I've know for years now & he'll be 40 something & Super Sister S... well, it's not polite to give out a ladies age, is it ?!!  I hope we'll see C this weekend & as for S, well - she is about 250 miles away - so... we'll see her one day.

It was on this day - 4 years ago - following our Baptism, that B & I were Confirmed as Church members... we wanted to do it (B & C) before S went away & as it turned out - it all came together on her birthday !!  Something we'll always be grateful for.

I hope we'll get to Church this weekend.  I know Bishop understands about my health problems, but I really do not like missing too many Sunday's...... we go as often as things permit & I hope, really hope, we'll make it this Sunday !!  B has a few issues with going - but,  that is more to do with some of the people at Church, rather than the Church as a whole.... if that makes any sense at all ?!!  We saw the guy who put his hand into her handbag a few Sundays ago - I think .... no, I know she is still pretty p**s*d about that !!

I thought ME had just come home - but it was someone else's car in the road.  Where we live, it's a very quiet area - especially with the neighbour away - so when any cars come into the road, well.... you can't help but hear them !!

Oh yes - the plumber came yesterday.... boy, what a mess !!  He put in a stop valve  into the existing  pipe work, which looked fine - until J came downstairs & switched the mains back on !!  Water went everywhere - all up the wall, over the roof, the floor and all my new paint work !!  It turned out the thing, he put in, wasn't tight enough - hence the water went everywhere.... one heck of a mess !!  Today, I had to get the paint out - again - and 'touch up' some of the stuff that had been soaked thru'... it wasn't much of a job, but I could of done with out it !!

So, that's been my day - almost another week has come & gone !!  I'm not sure what we're doing over the weekend - probably very little, hopefully Church on Sunday, but..... well.... it's been a pretty good week really.  I was feeling pretty down in the dumps last week - today tho' - at this very moment - life is good........

Bye Bye

The Black Left Hand - the story continues !!

Hail all you mighty Worlds - I hope you're well & happy !!

It's another Thursday - just after noon - and the rain has just started to fall again.... it might clear the air tho' - it's been kind of muggy "out there" these last few days + a local farmer is spreading something very smelly, so the rain might help wash that smell away !!

The music of the moment is (still) the mighty Allman Brothers & the Beacon 2011 box set..... I've just started concert 4, disc 1 & so far - nothing to moan about !!  For me, not really the rest of the family - this box has been a brilliant plus to the Cd collection.... I'll be playing it for weeks !!

Talking of the family - the guys are upstairs & B has gone out for a lunch thingy with one or more of the ladies from Church.  I think she'll be home around mid afternoon...... J is staying in & ME is going out to meet her boyfriend at some point.  Me, well.... I'm not thinking about doing too much today.  I've managed to work my ways thru' to 'Z' on the Cd sorting & they'll be completed later on..... then I have to find the odd Cd's that are 'missing'.  I've probably put them on the shelves without marking them as 'found' - but that's going to be for another day.

As for the black left hand 'saga' - well....... it's still black & it seems to be spreading further with every day that goes by !!  I'm seeing my Dr tomorrow & we'll see what he says about it. It's not so swollen, but the blackness is definately spreading up my arm - maybe - as has been suggested - I have burst some kind of blood thingy & that's why it's gone like it has.  I just hope, after all this, the Dr can actually find out what has gone wrong - I really want to know why !!

If anything, it's a little more painful today - it certainly was in the night.... everytime I rolled over in bed, I felt it,  oh well......  It'll sort it's self out at some point !!

The postman has just been - nothing exciting... just a few more bits of junk mail I suspect - nothing from the hospital again... that is getting a bit annoying now !!  It's been a full year since the 'little' implant was taken out &  still no news on when the proper one might be fitted !!  Never mind...... it is nothing too worry about, it just would be nice to get a little of my life back !!

A bit later on, a plumber is coming over to take a look at the bathroom - the loo is not working as it should !!  Now, there is an exciting topic for a blog - "the loo that wouldn't flush"...... heck, we could make a TV mini series about that !!

Talking of which - a new (to me) thing started on the Beeb last night... no, sorry the night before last (I only watched it last night)... anyhoooo it's called 'Wilfred' & it's like a new version of 'Harvey'..... the old film, with the guy & his imaginary 6 foot white rabbit.  this guy sees his neighbour's dog as a type of human & talks to it & visa versa.  It is kind of rubbish, but it was 'fun' to watch & laugh along too !!  Each show is kind of short, but I think I'll stick with it for a while - just to how things go.  I'm not sure how often it's going to be on - but it could be fun......  & I need a little fun in my life, we all do !!

I better away - got things to do - aka sleeping - & I want to finsh up these odd few Cd's... Warren Zeven, Frank Zappa & Z Z Top - all the Z's I have here at the moment.... for now....

Bye Bye

The Left Black Hand Pt. 2

Greetings all you mighty Worlds of the Internet !!

It's a Wednesday - yep, another one - and I'm sat here typing these words while still playing the Allman Brothers 'Beacon 2011' box set...... I'm on concert 2, disc 3 - it really is going to take a while to play these all the ways thru' !!  But, it's going to be fun listening to them.  I'm not looking at the track lists at all, just putting the Cd's in from each show & being surprised by what they play next !!  Great fun......

I have  had to smile at the box - it came with it's own little lock & key.  Why ?  Nobody in this home of ours is going to want to play any of these shows - except yours truly - so locking the box will be a bit of a waste !!  Never mind - if I want to hide anything from B - I can just put it in the box & it'll be safe !!

When B said I could have the box - I hoped it would fit neatly on the top of my Cd 'tower' & that's exactly what it does... a brilliant fit & quite smart looking as well !!  Oh well..... onwards.....

Taking of B, she has gone out shopping & afterwards, visiting the gym for a 7pm - 8 pm class......  We would of gone shopping earlier, but (a) I didn't really feel like going out, because (b) my hand & now my arm, are going blacker & blacker, with an increase in pain to go with it all... bummer !!

In the end, today, B gave me some pain killers & a sleeping tablet, so that I could get some sleep - I had a really bad night & I need some "shut-eye".  Apart from the usual health problems, every time I moved in the night, my stupid arm would let me know it was still there & wake me up.  Very unfriendly of it in my view !!

So, I've been a sleep most of the afternoon & am feeling a little better for it.  We still don't know what is going wrong with the hand - why it's turning black..... the blood tests didn't show up anything 'nasty' - so we'll wait & see how things go on Friday morning, when I see the Dr again.  Hopefully, by then, it will have got a little better - time will tell, I guess.

As for the family - well, B (as I said) is out... J is upstairs & ME has been working away today & won't be home for another hour or so.  I'm only guessing - I'm not really sure !!  She needs the cash - so good for her, I say !!

As for my plans tonight - well.... I've not really got any.  I've done some more Cd sorting & that's been "fun"..... I'm all the ways thru' to 'U' & 'V' now & there aren't that many groups in that range - so that should take too long.  Of course, having said that - I'll find stuff I've forgotten about & it'll take forever !!  I'll let you know at some point..... I know I have a whole shelf full of 'W's to go thru' - White Stripes/The Who/Johnny Winter & Whitesnake + a few others I'm not sure about !!  But that'll be for another day - maybe tomorrow,

B is out for a lunch tomorrow, with one (or more) of the ladies from Church & on Friday she has her aunt's dinner/party thing in the evening - so I'll have time to kill then...... I'll be able to get thru' a shed load of Cd's over the next couple of days - health permitting !!  I'll see........ Whatever - I'll enjoy listening to my music.... for now tho'....

Bye Bye

Happy Birthday To Us !!

Hail & "Hello" to you all - may your Worlds spin ever on !!

So - this is the story of "the left black hand".... part one, I guess !!  To start with, we go back a few days when I found I had a bruise on my left hand.  Nothing too exciting about that - but, I sort of felt something wasn't quite right & as I was visiting the doctor, I mentioned it...... as a sort of after thought, more than anything.

Anyhoooo - on Friday (I think) it was a bit bigger & by Saturday, my hand had swollen & was a nice shade of blue/black in colour.  So - as we have an emergency service here in the village on Saturday's I went & saw the Dr again - he was quite amazed by it.  So, with the instructions to go to the hospital, if things got worse - we left the Dr & headed home....... however, by Saturday night - well, my hand had completely gone black & was about 50% bigger than it was in the morning !!  So we headed off into Taunton, to make use of their ER.

After an examination by one of the Dr's & a few X-rays.... I was sent on my ways.  There were no broken bones, no sign of an 'infection' (except a black hand ?!!) of anything & - to be honest - the hospital staff, sort of scratched their collective heads & couldn't work out what was going on !!

Anyhow, on Monday (yesterday) I went back to my Dr & - as things were worse than before - I had to go back today for a set of blood tests - to try & work out what is going on.  So, with my "left black hand" (and arm) I'm sat here trying to type these words & making a real mess of things as I go - it's not easy, using a keyboard with hardly any feeling in my fingers !!  Oh well - I'm waiting for a phone call now, to see what to do next.... I'm thinking amputation, but we'll see how things go, with the blood test results !!

Ok - so that's that, as far as that part of my health is concerned.... the rest of me is just falling apart.  No really.... I was feeling very "low" over the last couple of weeks & to be honest, I'm still not 100% on that front - but..... well, I'll get better as time goes on.  I'm still waiting to hear from the hospital about my implant & also the proposed 'surgery' on my mouth, but as yet I've no dates for either & that's is not helping my mood.  But, I'll keep going & try to keep smiling...... it seems to be getting harder, but.........

So, it's August 16th 2011 & it's 4 years ago today that B & I were Baptised as Latter Day Saints !!  I'm not going to 'preach' to you my dear readers, but it is one of the best things I have ever done..... check it out for yourselves !!  It's not for everybody - but, for me it has been such a blessing to be a member of The Church.  "Happy Birthday To Us"......

Talking of B - she is out at her lunch time gym class..... she says that she has put on weight this week & needs to work a little extra today, before weight watchers tonight !!  All in all, she has lost about 50 pounds, so that is pretty good - as long as she doesn't slim down to nothing !!  She'll be home about 3pm.....

On Friday night, she is going out to her Aunties 50th wedding anniversary 'party' thing.  I'm not invited, but I'm not too upset about it - it really is just going to be for family - I'm only on the sidelines, so to speak.  B is kind of mad (again) at her Dad - he phoned up & more or less told her she was picking him up !!  He hasn't phoned in about a month & when he does phone - he, sort of, makes demands on B..... I know it bothers her, but !!  The last time I spoke to him, was on my birthday - he called, I answered - he left a message for B, didn't wish me a happy birthday or anything & hung up the phone !!  How does the saying go, "you can pick your friends, but not your family" !!  Life goes on...... and on.......

As for the rest of the family - J is upstairs & ME is out with her boyfriend...... they both have the day off work, so they have gone shopping or something.  That leaves me here typing these words & listening to music !!

Todays music of choice & for the next few days I guess, is the Allman Brothers '2011 Beacon Box' set that came earlier today - "Yippeeeeeeee".  I've waited a very long time to own one of these limited edition box sets & - thanks to my Dearest Friend & Wife, the wonderful B, I now have one ..... I'm over the moon with it !!!!!!  It's 15 concerts, spread over 40+ Cd's & I'm only on disc one, concert one & it's brilliant !!  I've been spoilt with music this week....

.... I'm not sure if I've mentioned them already, but....... I have the new Nazareth Cd + a 2 Cd compilation by them.  Another 2 Cd compilation by Ian Gillan + a 3 Cd set by Gov't Mule.  Add to that a DVD of Tift Merritt live in concert from 2005 (I think) & an Allman Brothers concert I found the other night - well, I've been well & truly spoilt for music this past week or so !!  The Cd's are taking over the house - but....... I'm  happy & it helps pass the time away !!

I've nearly finished sorting out the Cd's - I'm up to 'R' now & that's getting thru' to near the end of them.  I've a bunch of compilation Cd's to sort out (about 250 of them - the things you get free with mag's & what have you)  but, they'll just get put on a shelf together at the end.  I could put them in some sort of 'A-Z' of their own, but.... I ain't that bothered about them.  as long as the groups are sorted out for B - that's the main thing !!

Oh, I've mentioned the "neighbour from hell" - well, she has gone away on holiday - or at least, we're told she has gone away on holiday...... but, the surprising thing is - people in our little 'close' are actually going out of their way to speak to us !!  We have lived here 13 years & since I called the police, it's like we've gained a whole new load of friends.... maybe word has gone around - I know we were not the only people fed up with her !!  Ain't life grand ?

On this day, in 1987, I was playing Elvis Presley's "The Wonder Of You" - I'm wondering if today is the anniversary of his death or something ?  I'll find out later - but for now the Allman's are really blasting out !!

Stupid the sort of things I remember and, in a way, forget !!  I've to see the Consultant soon about the CT scan I had, I can't think there is anything to worry about...... time will tell !!  Maybe he'll have some idea about why I'm forgetting things...... we'll see !!

Ok, with the sun out & the rain gone away, for a while - I will away...... part two of the "black left hand" will follow - probably tomorrow !!  Thank's for reading.....

Bye Bye

Happy Days

Hi & Happy Days to you all !!

This is going to be short - I've just come home from the accident dept of our local hospital & your's truly has a messed up left hand & that is goning to make type very differcult !!  So - I wll be back at another time - to keep you posted, as things go on & on !!

For now...

Bye Bye

Muppet Christmas Carol

Hail & Mighty Greetings To You All !!  I hope these words find you well !!

It's another Thursday here in the wilds of England - it's been a funny old day really..... one minute hot sunshine, the next wet & cloudy - very strange.  Never mind - it's been a good day really.

Why has it been a good day - well.... I went outside today & it was pretty good !!  We needed to do some shopping & I went with B to ASDA to pick it up & (all in all) I felt pretty good....... sure, I "hated" all the people around me, but - at least I went !!  I feel a lot better today, say - compared to a week ago.... so maybe my visit to "blues ville" has started to ease a bit.  Time will tell, I guess.

I'm seeing my Dr tomorrow & we'll see how things go.... but, all in all - with the visit to the consultant on Monday + a great visit from our Bishop, last night, well - things have improved as the week has gone on !!

The Bishop came over about 8pm last night & stayed for a shade over a hour..... he lent us some moral support, an open mind & finished with a blessing.  For me, it was a good visit & it was great to see him again.  He has told me, to only go to Church when I feel ready & that he understands my feelings.  Which is really good.......

Ok, the family are all out, except J of course.  B & ME have just left for the gym & a night of torture...... good for them I say !!  J is here looking after me, from his bedroom & that just leaves me here on my computer writing these words to you.

The music at the moment is Transatlantic's 'World Tour 2010' 3 Cd set.  I've had it for quite a while now & every time I play it, I find something new, like it's the first time I've ever played it !!  Mind you - with only 6 tracks spread over the 3 discs - well, there is a lot to listen to...... with 3 of the tracks clocking in at the 30 minute mark, plus one track at over 79 minutes - yes, there is a lot to hear !!  Just going to change it......

.... I'm now playing the first Richie Blackmore's 'Rainbow' Cd.  It's hard to believe it came out 35 years ago !!  Probably the first time I ever heard Ronnie Dio's voice - tho' I would have to check back on that, at some point.  A good album tho'.

My plan tonight is to sort some of the Cd's out - I'm up to 'O' on the list & I need to put them into heaps, to make life a little easier for me.  I've only got one more shelf on the Cd tower to fill & then it's over to one of the bookcases....... tho' - I did have a thought last night on how to spread them a little, I will have to have a think about that before I get myself into too much of a mess.  Too many Cd's & not enough room !!

I see the riots have eased a bit - well, so the news said anyways.  I saw earlier, that one of the girls involved was 11 years old !!  How crazy is that !!  I moan about some of the kids at Church, but 11 years old & in a riot - landing up in court, well.... that's just crazy !!  We'll see how things go - I'm just glad we went to Birmingham last month & not now.  The thought of heading into a 'riot zone' - as one of our MP's called it today - just for a concert - well, that would of been kind of weird to say the least !!

Talking of the concert & in a way, the Allman Brothers - I'm still waiting on my box set from America.  Knowing my luck, it will have got lost someplace !!  I am really looking forward to it getting here & listening to 15 new concerts - well, new to my ears at least !!  Plus - I've always wanted one of their limited edition box sets.... so..... it should be here by next week I hope.

I must away for tonight - I need to sort out the Cd's + there is a programme on TV I want to watch later.... which reminds me.  last night, B & I watched 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' in bed.  I put it in, just for fun really & in the end, we watched it all the ways thru'.  How sad is that ?  But, it was great fun tho' & you've got to have fun from time to time... well, we have to anyhoooooo

Bye Bye

Iced Earth & Nazareth !!

Hi ya' everybody - I hope your worlds are doing Ok !!

I've just been watching the news - all the idiots rioting around & about !!  Why !!!  What makes things better !!!  Just because some jerks go out & cause havoc in London, why are people going out in other cities !!!  I don't know - I don't often agree with MPs - but our PM said something today - about, if you're old enough to do the crime, you're old enough to face the time........... maybe they should be listening instead of shouting !!!  It's crazy.... there is a picture of what looks like a girl jumping from a window - maybe some of the idiots should be pushed !!!  Oh well - life goes on, if that is what they call living !!

Ok - enough moaning...... it's a Tuesday & I'm here with ME (she is a little ways away) & it's been a beautiful day today.  The sun has been out & I've been doing some painting - I've nearly finished the bathroom... yippeeeee !!  A few more things to do & it'll all be done & dusted !!

As for the other members of our family, B has just gone out to weight watchers & J is upstairs (I think)..... the cats are about someplace - not 100% sure where to, but.......

As mentioned a few days ago - I've been down in the dumps... my Dr calls it depression & I'm not going to argue too much with him !!  He has changed my meds a little over the last week & I've not been in so much pain... so that has been a bonus & I think I've felt "happier" in myself.  Hopefully the way I feel at the moment will stay with me - I don't want to stay 'down' for too long !!

Last night, I had to go back to the hospital to see one of my consultants &, I think, B hit upon something - which might explain the ways I've been feeling.  It is exactly 10 years ago - this week - that I first became ill.  I hadn't thought too much about it & wouldn't have put "2 & 2" together, but....

As the consultant said, I've gone 10 years now with out a full nights sleep, or a day without some pain or another - so it might have caught up with me..... without me really thinking too much about it.  It's true tho' - 10 whole years, wow !!

Anyhoooo, the consultant seemed pleased with me - not too concerned about my weight loss or my general health + she is going to chase up the other consultant, to try & get my implant surgery hurried along a bit... now, that would be a help !!  We'll see how things go...... I'm not going to hold my breath on that one !!  We'll see how things go.

Also, today, the Bishop phoned & is going to come over tomorrow evening to see me/us - to see if there is anything he can do to help.  I explained in an e-mail that I've been a little down in the dumps & he's going to pop over to see us.... kind of good of him, considering how busy he is !!  Having not been to Church in the last couple of weeks, well - it'll be good to speak to him.

The music of the moment is Nazareth's 'big dodz' album - which came in the post this morning.... now that has cheered me up - new music in the household is always good !!  The one that came today is the 2Cd set, with the acoustic set on the second disc...... it's well good, go check it out !!

I've still not played all of the Iced Earth 3Cd set that came this week - I was going to play it earlier, but Nazareth sort of took priority !!  Never mind - it ain't going nowhere, so I've got plenty of time to give it a listen.... maybe in a minute.  Yep, it's now playing, as I type....... tho' ME ain't too keen on the lyrics !!  All I know is, it's loud & has a beat to it.... oh well.........

I should be sorting out some more Cds - but..... I've got to do some more work on them, before I can put them on the list.  I'm trying to work thru' them - but......... I have to find them first !!  The next ones to find are the 3 or 4 Magnum Cd's - I know they are here, just not sure where...... ah, life inside our Cd collection, so confusing...... one day I'll find them all & have them all indexed !!  Not today tho'......... or tomorrow....

Talking of tomorrow - there are a few very special people in our lives & tomorrow is a birthday for one of them..... I'll e-mail you tomorrow Sister T.

Bye Bye

Yet Another Monday !!

Hi every body out there in the Internet Worlds  - I hope you're all well !!

Well...... it's official - I'm suffering from "depression".  Well, I know I was feeling low - but, I hadn't thought it "depression"...... life is strange !!  A lot has been going on over the last few weeks, health wise & I know it has dragged me 'down'.... but..... I will try & get myself sorted out as soon as possible & flap my old arms again !!

For those of you, who do not understand that last remark..... well.  "If you're falling a long way, you may as well try & fly".  I've been falling a very long way over the last few years - so, by flapping my arms...... well, it's my way of saying that I'm trying to fly - trying to keep my spirits up, so to speak !!

Anyhooo, it's another Monday.  B & ME have gone into town, to do some shopping & pay some bills + I think they might pop into the gym, while they're there.  I honestly did not want to go out this morning, just wanted to stay in the house.  I have to go into hospital later, to see one of my consultants..... she won't have too many answers for me, but it'll be good to have a chat with her & to see if she has any advice for me.

As for the other member of the family, J he is upstairs.  His girlfriend was here - meant to be going back to Wales this today........ but, for some reason, she went home yesterday.  I don't know exactly why - but..... she seemed a really nice girl & the two of them seemed very happy together.  Time will tell !!

I e-mail the Bishop this morning, to say a sorry for not being at Church (again !) yesterday.  B let me sleep & I didn't wake up until nearly 11am..... which was kind of bad on my part !!  I mailed the Bishop, as I had already had a phone call this morning - early this morning - as to why I wasn't there yesterday !!  Honestly, some people seem to think that everything revolves around The Church & if you're not there you're either a "bad" person or just lazy or something even worse !!

I answered the phone, but B was not a happy bunny, as I say - it's kind of "off" when people just phone to "check up" on you........ there is more to life than The Church.  They seem to forget how I am & I can not always do what they want !!

On a happier note - I had a surprise in the post this morning.  The 3 Cd set of Iced Earth's 'Alive In Athens' - yippeeeeee !!!!!  I've not played it yet, but will do so in the next few hours... it's over 3 hours long, so it'll take a good bit of listening.  My plan is to head back to bed & try to catch up on some more sleep..... these new tablets the doctor gave me last week.... well, they seem to making me feel very tired !!  I only have to stay on them for a few more days & then I'll be back to 'normal' - so to speak !!

Yesterday afternoon, I was able to catch up on the Cd sorting !!  I'm sort of thru' to the "M's" now....... Muse, Motorhead, Tift Merritt etc etc.  Given a little more time & they will all be in the right order & maybe in the right place for a while !!  That is until we start playing discs & not putting them back, where we got them from !!  Let me put it this way, it'll be easier to upset the order & quicker as well - but, at least (for a while) they will be sorted !!

See, this is what I don't understand about myself.  earlier this morning, I was very very down in the dumps.  I was upset because of the phone call, the fact that I didn't want to go into town & various other things..... now, after writing these few words & thinking about other things and music - well, I feel much happier now !!  oh well - life goes on & on..... I guess !!

Bye Bye

Home Alone !!

Hi Worlds - I hope you're all doing Ok & life is treating you well !!

It's a Saturday & I'm home alone !!  ME is working, J & his girlfriend are out & B has just gone for a pushbike ride - leaving me alone with the cats, my music & my thoughts...... that's is kind of weird - I thought B would be home today to look after me, but.... never mind, I'll probably head on to bed for a sleep in a while.

Ok, J's girlfriend (M) came down yesterday & seems to be really nice.  If ever it was possible to have a female J - well.... she is it !!  She is staying over until Monday - then I suspect J will be a bear with a sore head for a while !!

The music of the moment is The Allman Brothers - from a 1991 concert in California...... I got a copy last night & it's pretty good really - a good 2 Cd's worth..... so quite long !!  That's the only new music - but I did get some DVD's from a friend.  A couple of interesting Plant & Krauss things - so I'll give them a good look thru' at some point.  It's kind of hard to watch things with house full of people - that includes M, ME's boyfriend who was here for tea last night....... at least everybody got to meet each other !!

I did some more painting earlier - trying to finish the bathroom 'asap' - if I don't get on with it, I'll get fed up of looking at it !!  My plan this afternoon was to try & sort thru' some more Cd's - but.... well, with B going out, I'm kind of a dead end !!  Oh well....... 

Bye Bye

An Average Night In The Idiot Clan Household !!

Hi you Worlds of the Internet - I trust life is treating you well ?

I'm pretty good tonight...... I'm sat here with ME sat a few feet away & the music playing (sort of) loud - just to keep me awake !!   I seem to be sleeping a lot these last few days.... I'm thinking it's the new tablets the Dr put me on - just working into my system.  Whatever, I'm feeling a bit happier now, compared to earlier in the week + the pain has eased a little over the last couple of days, so that really is a bonus !!  Life is going on & on......  & on.

So, as said - ME is sat here in the rec (living) room with me, J is upstairs sorting his room out & B is out at the gym for some class or another...... ME is joining her at 7pm, so they will both be aching later !!

J is sorting his room out for his girlfriends visit tomorrow & over the weekend - see, that's all it takes.... a women in his life & away he goes !!  For now, he seems to have stopped going on about moving to Cardiff - it's his life, so it's really up to him..... but..... well, we'll see how things go.  Living here, pretty much for nothing & living in another city - well..... it will be a shock to his system & that is for sure !!  It'll be nice to meet the girl anyhooo..... more over the coming days, I'm sure !!

The music of the moment is Whitesnake's 'Live... In The Shadow Of The Blues' album from about 2006.  I found it on the shelf & thought I would give it a listen.... it's a little too loud for me tonight tho' - so I'm going to find something else.  Beethoven's '7th Symphony' is now playing....... not so loudly in the background.  A little different from Whitesnake & that's for sure !!

I've not been out of the house, since last Friday...... so, if I'm well enough tomorrow - B is taking me into town.  I'll see how I am in the morning.  If I'm not well, B will make the trip on her own I guess..... no, that's not true - she is taking ME into work at 8.30am, so she won't be going on her own.  J's better/lady friend is coming down by train & B is going to collect her from the station at around 2.30pm - so, B will have a couple trips on her hands tomorrow !!

I still - at this moment - don't feel too happy about going out.... for one thing, I'm not too well anyhooo & for the other, the "neighbour from hell" has kind of put me off going too far from home !!  I know it's dumb on my part, to let someone spoil things - stop me going out.... but, it's the way I am I guess.

I just get very fed up with people, especially those who really don't know how I am...... well - it p***s** me off more than a little !!  Someone said to me the other day... "I wish I was as sick as you" to which I said something like, "I wish I wasn't" !!  They seem to think, that just because I'm not stuck in bed all the time, that I'm having them on - I would like to see how they would feel, knowing they (as I have) have to take 14 tablets tonight - just to keep me "going" & that's not including any extra that B might have to give me thru' the night !!  Oh well - each to their own I guess........ life will go on, theirs a lot longer than mine I guess !!  Never mind.......

Anyhooo - onto happier things...... whatever - I can't really think of too much tonight !!  Oh yes, there is going to be a Baptism tomorrow night !!  I'm not 100% sure who it's going to be - I have no clue from the

e-mail B had, just a date & time.  It's going to be in Weston-Super-Mare.... if we go or not, well - that'll depend on how things are tomorrow.... but, it'll be good to have another member of The Church !!  That is a happier thing !!  I know what it meant to B & I joining the Church & our Baptism.... altho' I know B isn't so keen on the Church at the moment - but, that has more to do with certain people in the Church, rather than the Church itself !!

ME has just gone out to meet B at the gym - I'm not 100% sure she really wanted to go.... but.......  Oh well, I've just changed the music over to Stephen Stills..... 'Live At Shepherds Bush Empire'.  I've had it a while now & it's pretty good to listen to !!  Nothing like a change of pace....... from Whitesnake to Stephen Stills, via Beethoven.... an average night here in the idiot clan household !!

Bye Bye

Dream Theater "Live At The Budokan" !!

Hail & many hello's to you all -I hope these words find you happy !!

Well, it's Wednesday & I'm feeling pretty good with my self - the feeling of being 'low' is still with me, but I'm better than I was few days ago..... so, that's a bonus !!  I'm not sure if it's just me feeling happier, the new med's making me feel better or - well, just being in a higher/happier/better place then I was a few days ago !! Time will tell.....

B is still pretty p**ss*d off with the neighbour - I've been feeling relatively good these passed few months & now, B feels, the neighbour has given me a 'setback'...... it's true.  But, I've been here before, depressed/fed up/poorly - call it what you want - and I've come thru' it all before.... so, I guess, I'll do it all over again !!

Anyhooo - it's a Wednesday & I'm here typing these words & listening/watching a Dream Theater DVD.  It's their 'Live At The Budokan' show, from a few years back.... I think it came out about 2004... but, it's still a good listen !!  The new album will be out in September, so I look forward to that one.... I know they have lost their drummer - but, the sound should stay pretty much along the same lines as before (I hope).  Got to give them a chance anyhow !!

I've mentioned the album by Nazareth ('the newz') - well, I e-mailed the address on the album cover & today I had a mail back from Pete Agnew..... how cool is that ?  I never thought my message would even get read, let alone getting a message back !!  The album has grown on me - so.... maybe if we go into a shop & I see it at some point, I'll buy it.  It's one of those things really - like a lot of the music in this home of ours - it's good to have, just to play again at some point down the road !!  As I've said before, music is in my life - so...

.... got to keep listening !!

I've not had much new music stuff this past few days - tho', this morning a DVD came.  It's called 'The Journey Of August King' - stars Jason Patric & Thandie Newton & cost me the princely amount of £1.90 !!  Honestly - and that was with free postage & packing....... it's a good film & - at that price - well worth the cash !!  It's set in The USA in 1815 & is about this guy (August King) and how he helps a run away slave (Thandie Newton).... his "journey" from being richer than he has ever been before, to being "dirt poor" 3 days later.  Not the Worlds greatest film, but I like it anyhow.......

B lets me have these little 'treats' from time to time - she knows how little 'things' make me happy - and at less than £2 ... well, it's a bargain !!  Mind you - I think most things are a bargain - especially if it makes me happy, so what the heck !!  Soon - I hope - the Allman Brothers box set will be here & I know that will make me smile.... if, after B has had to put up with it for a few weeks, she is smiling - well, we'll see........

Talking of B - she has gone (with ME) to the gym..... so they will be home in an hour or two worn out & aching !!  They seem to enjoy it tho' - so.........  As for the other member of the household (J) - well, he's upstairs cleaning his room.... B & I have agreed to his girlfriend coming down this weekend, to visit & meet us all.  I already feel sorry for the girl !!  Coming down here from Cardiff ..... well, I'll try & be good while she is here !!  Hopefully we won't need the police around to sort out the neighbour this week end !!

The policeman called this morning, to make sure everything is Ok - so, maybe, I judged him wrong first time around.  I didn't think he really cared too much about the problem - but, to call back.... well..... we'll see how things go.

I also had a phone call from my Doctor this morning - the latest tests have shown some kind of new infection - so have another set of tablets for that !!  I tell you World, I take so many pills & potions now, I must rattle as I go along !!  I forget how many I take at night, but this morning I had 8, so that will be 9 with the new one......  I really hope that get me into the hospital soon - then maybe, I can get off of some of them !!  Tho' - I must admit - the thought of having a 'surgery' on my mouth is something I'm not looking forward to......  I'll get over it - but.......... Stitches in my mouth !!  That's got to be sore !!

I have to go into hospital next Monday for a check up.  I see this one Consultant at least once a year - and anytime I'm feeling really poorly - so........ She will be on about my weight loss - I think I'm down at least 15Kg since last time I saw her - so that will be a talking point, no doubt !!  She really is great though - has got me thru' some pretty bad times bless her.....  I might see my GP Doctor tomorrow, unless I'm feeling a bit better - At the moment, I'm on an open door policy with him.... If I feel I need to see him, I can just go down & go in and see him..... see if he came help me any......

So, that's it for tonight...... mostly music   The reason for that is pretty simple - when, I feel poorly, music gets me back to to a form of happiness I need to be in.  It keeps me feeling good.

Give me The Lord, give me my family - but above all else above everything - give me my music !!  I want to happy....... when I finally go !!

Bye Bye

"Don't Let Them Run Your Life"

Hi ya' all you Worlds of Internet space - I hope your signals are coming thru' strong !!

It's a Monday, the 1st of August - another month is here & July has gone out the window !!  It started quite well, but ended with me feeling pretty low - read yesterday's blog for details !!  But, that was yesterday - as it's a new month - I've decided to start over.... to try & get back to how I was, rather than the way I was heading !!

"Don't let them get you down, don't let them run your life" !! Nazareth 'Goin' Loco', from their 'the newz' Cd.

I was just playing that track & right at the end, those lyrics came out of the speakers !!  I've played the Cd several times - but it's the first time I've really heard those words.........  Music is in my life & it's things like this that keep me going !!  So, I will try & get myself back together & do as the song says "..don't let them run your life" !!

I went down to the Dr's this morning & he has changed my med's - hopefully to help with the pain I've been feeling...... it's hard work, trying to keep my spirits up, when the pain gets too bad & that is always in the background !!  But, he has changed things now, so I'll see how things go from here - we'll see !!

Ok - the family are all out at the moment.  B & J have headed into town & ME has just gone out to meet a friend from her old school - I think her boyfriend will be over later, so that'll be good - he really is a great lad !!

J is meeting up with some people he met at college - so as B was going shopping, she took him in.  It's about a one hour bus ride from here - going all around the lanes & villages (maybe not quite that long) & it's only a 15 minute car ride, so it made sense to travel in together !!  So, that leaves me here typing this words, in the company of the 'Smudge' cat - our oldest at 9 years of age - who is asleep, about 15 feet from me.  I've not seen the other two this morning - but they are probably out in the sun !!

As already mentioned, the music of the moment is 'the newz' Cd by Nazareth...... it has grown on me over the last week or so - but, I have to take it back to the library at some point this week - so I'm giving it another play while it's here.  Some of the tracks are too 'pop' for me - but, there are some good rock tracks on it !!

As for my plans today - well, I don't really have any !!  I'm going to let the painting 'slide' for a day - see if the new med's help, before doing anything to make things worse !!  So, I'll probably sit here & watch a DVD or something...... I'm not sure how long B will be out - but..... well, I'll see what happens as the day goes on.  It's going to be a quiet one & that is for sure !!

B just phoned, to check up on me - bless her.... she really is my Wife & Dearest Friend !!  She has just reached town & is heading to the bank to put some money away.  Oh well.................. life goes on.

Bye Bye