A Sad Day For All Of Us......

Greetings Worlds - How you doing this fine last day of November ?!!

I think it's the last day of November... yep, it's St Andrew's day - so that makes it the 30th.  Another month has gone by & I'm still sat here writing these words to you, my readers !!  A big "Hello" to my German reader, thank you for logging in !!  It's great to know you're there !!

Ok - it's a Wednesday night & it's been a pretty good day really...... it's been a dry day (for the most part) & I've spent most of it here in the house, looking out across to the sea.  Later on it rained - but, that was B's fault !!  She went & put some washing out on the line & - of course - it rained almost as soon as she did it !!  Never tempt fate, especially when it comes to the English weather !!  Oh well......

Talking of B - my lovely Wife has just gone out to a gym class.  Which was really good, because, as she went out the road, ME's boyfriend drove in !!  So, the family - less B, is all home.... the heating is on, the music is kind of loud & I've just taken my evening med's - so, all is well with life !!

The music of the moment is an old Mountain track.  It's their version of 'Stormy Monday' & was recorded at the Atlanta Pop Festival, in 1970... I think it was probably my first time on hearing the band - not 100% sure of that, but I think I'm close on that one........

.... I bought this 3 Lp set, called something like 'The First Great Festivals Of The 70's' (or something).  the first disc was from Atlanta & the other two were from the 1970 Isle Of Wight festival.  I was reminded about it, when I mentioned it in an e-mail to Lady V.  It was the first time I had heard the Allman Brothers, as well.... the rest, as they say, is history !!  I never really thought that 40 years later I would be still playing the same tracks !!  I'm nothing else than consistent when it comes to music !!  I know what I like & I enjoy playing it !!

This 'Stormy Monday' is from Mountain's 'Over The Top' 2 Cd set, which I've had for a long time now..... oh well, it sits pretty nicely along side all of the other Mountain albums.... so many Cd's - the pyre is getting bigger by the day folks !!

On the way to me, I hope, is the new Nightwish album - it's not released until Monday, but it should be in the post - and the new Rush DVD.... the one that has come out to compliment the 2 Cd 'Live In Cleveland' show I picked up the other week !!  Hopefully, that will be here by Monday - we'll see.......

Just changed the music... it's now Dream Theater's version of 'Dark Side Of The Moon' - just for a change, from Floyd's version.... I'm not sure where this one came from, I think J gave it to me at some point & where he got it from is anybody's guess !!  Oh well.....

The last 3 days of the week are going to be hectic..... maybe not too bad tho'.  Tomorrow I have to go back to the hospital, if all goes well to have my implant turned on..... that should be fun !!  At the moment, it hurts like h**l !!  Not so much the implant, I guess, but the hole that was left, when they put it into me !!  By now, I was hoping it would of settled down, but no such luck !!

Anyhoooo, that's tomorrow... on Friday it's Dug's funeral.  That will be a sad day for all of us, bless him & his wife.... thay were/are such nice people & we miss them !!  I say miss them, because tho' Dug has died, his wife is away from us now in a different area - the funeral will be held with us, but..... it's complicated !!

Then on Saturday, if I'm well enough, B is taking me down to the record fair - not so much to spend anything, more to meet old friends & have a talk.  As things are, I keep wondering if I'll be well enough to meet them from month to month, so when I can go & see them - well, I make the most of the chance !!

So, that's the rest of the week taken care of......  one day at a time I guess, but hopefully all will go well & we'll make it all Ok.  I know I can't drive now, but it's great to just get out & see my friends - I thank B all the time, for putting up with me !!

ME has just shown me the plans for the neighbours extension.... it's huge !!  To say it's an extension, well - that's an understatement... it's massive !!  It will be interesting to see what becomes of it - the guy who owns the house is so well known around the village, I'm sure he'll get the go ahead & - I might not sound very Christian - but, I won't be going out of my way to help in any way or form !!  If the neighbour was a bit more "polite" - well..... we'll see what happens.... as I keep saying, time will tell !!

Oh well, I must be away............. until next time !!

Bye Bye

If You're Reading This Lady V......

Hello Again Worlds Of Internet Space - how you all doing out there ?!

Well, it's still Tuesday & I'm back again... two posts in one day... I really must get a life at some point !!  Anyhoooo, it's a little before 6pm & I'm here alone.... but, the heating has been on for a few hours now, so the chill has gone from the house !!  I could put a jumper, or something warmer on - but... I enjoy life in my T shirt World.....

Anyways - B has gone out again... this time to weight watchers & then onto the gym.  After that, she'll pick ME up from her boyfriends & probably be home around 9.30 ish..... so, apart from J, who is still in his room, that leaves me down here typing these words to you all again !!

There is zilch on TV tonight, so the music is playing away quite nicely in the back ground..... for my sins, I'm still playing The Police albums I mentioned earlier - they still sound dated, but.... what the heck, it's all music folks !!

Talking of music, I see the Alman Brothers are back on the road... "yippeeee" !!  So, after Christmas, I will be ordering up the new concerts & hopefully - if my Dearest Friend & Wife permits - I'll have all of their 2011 concerts !!  So, if you're reading this Lady V... expect an order in the new year - when, if all goes well, I might have some more money to spend !!  Great stuff.........

..... mind you, the look on B's face - when I said there were more concerts to get - well, "if a picture could tell a thousand stories" !!  I have to get Christmas out the way first - then, if all goes well, the concerts will be playing their hearts out on the household Cd systems !!  Now, that will give me something to look forward too...... !!  It has to be better than old Police albums !!

Last night, on you tube, or whatever it's called, I found a Nightwish concert from a year or two back.... it was well good !!  Why it hasn't been released is beyond me - it's far better than the last 'live' Ep they brought out !!  Maybe that's the point - people will watch it on you tube & then buy the Ep..... me of course, I waste my money on the Ep & then see the better concert afterwards !!  Never mind - the new album (Nightwish) will be out soon - so, I'll look out for that in December.... hey, it's all music folks !!  B will be pleased - another Cd to put on the pyre !!

Oh well.... I must away again.  I've very little to do tonight, but I'll enjoy not doing it !!  Until next time...

Bye Bye

Greetings Worlds.......

Greetings Worlds - how you all getting on today ?

It's a very cold & wet Tuesday here in England.... not very nice at all, so I'm glad I'm in the house !!  I'll see if I can get the heating on in a little while, just to take the chill off a bit !!  I don't mind the cold - I could do with-out the dampness tho'.....

Yesterday was not the best of days, I'm sorry to say.... B felt the loss of her Mum & was quite upset about that.  So, as a family, we gave her a big hug & tried to help her as much as we could.  Never having been that close to my folks, I didn't have much of a way of "sorrow" when they passed away - with B it was different.... oh well !!

I did go out yesterday !!  I couldn't push myself around, as I'm still a little in pain (blooming stitches) - so B did most of the work for me.  It was fun - everybody was wrapped up, against the cold - there I was in my T shirt & jeans.... just enjoying being out in the air, after a week stuck indoors !!  It was dry tho' - so it was nice to be out, even if a little cold !!

At the moment, B has taken ME into town - she is working this afternoon - & then she is going on to a gym class........ so, that's the ladies of the house.  J went into town earlier, but is now home again..... upstairs in his Hobbit hole of a bedroom - which just leaves me down here typing these words !!

I did plan on doing some more of the Lp's for the guy at Church - but, I can't concentrate too well today, so..... the music of the moment is the first two albums by The Police.  A little "off the wall" choice - I've not played them in years, well.... maybe 5 or 6 I guess !!  I've put them both in on shuffle, just to break them up a bit on playback !!

I was actually given both of the albums (on Lp) for Christmas 1979 !!  I'm not 100% sure why I remember that - but..... I also had 'The Wall' by Pink Floyd, at the same time - now, there is a mish mash to have for Christmas !!  I would guess I've played the Floyd more times than The Police.... but, I have them on Cd - and I know where they are - The Police might get a better look in, on the Cd players !!  Time will tell.....

On Saturday - there is another record fair in Exeter & I'm hoping to go down to that one.......  if nothing else, to see some old friends.  Hopefully they might have some things for me - we'll see how things go !!  It'll be a good to look around the shops, to see what we can find for Christmas pressy's for the guys - we usually wait until the last minute to pick stuff up, so I'm guessing it'll be the same this year !!

On Thursday I have to be back into hospital - hopefully to have the implant turned on !!  That'll be fun !!  I'll see what the Consultant says when we go in.......

...... then, on Friday, we have D's funeral.  The service is at our Chapel, then after that, he's being laid to rest in Minehead.  I don't think we'll make it to the internment, but we'll see how things go.  The same day, there is a Baptism... so, it's going to be a busy day, all in all.  I'm not sure if we'll be able to make the latter, but...... we'll see how things go.

I'm not really sure why I wanted these Police albums..... at the moment, as I play them, I'm not that impressed by them.  They sound very dated - or maybe it's just me getting old !!  Probably the last bit - I certainly am getting older & that's a fact !!

Alright, I must away..... it's just after 1pm & I can use a little beauty sleep... until next time......

Bye Bye

Hi Everybody !!

Hi Everybody - How are your Worlds doing today ?!!

Well - it's a little after 10am here & I'm sort of on my own today, well - at the moment at least !!  ME is working today in Taunton, J is still in bed & my lovely wife has just gone out.  Her Mum died a few years back & as it was this time of year, B has gone to put some flowers on her grave.  I've stayed home - mainly as I'm still having problems & it was unlikely I could of made the trip up & back........  I was hoping to go outside today, but... maybe later !!

It does mean however, I can play some more music.... like I needed an excuse anyway !!  Earlier I was playing an old Page & Plant concert, from 1995...... I was at the show, so it was a sort of memory trip !!  At the moment, it's Wishbone Ash filling the living room with their 1973 'Live Dates' album.  I used to have this on Lp, but now - like a lot of my old albums, I've found a copy on Cd !!  I think I had quite a few Wishbone albums - mainly the early stuff....... oh well.

My plans today are pretty much to just take it easy.  The stitches are pulling a bit - I'm guessing as they heal - so, after I finish this, I will be heading up to rest on the bed.  Now, that sounds like a plan !!  There is no Church service today - it's a conference weekend, in Bristol & there is no way in the World that I could of made that trip !!  It's about 100 miles up & back - but..... sitting in a car & then two hours at conference + the return journey - well, toooooo much for me today, I'm sorry to say !!  Never mind - I'll have a rest up, until B gets back.....

It is quite a nice day out there tho'...... blue sky, white puffy clouds & a good view over to the sea in the distance !!  Now that winter is on the ways, the trees have lost most of their leaves - which means it's a lot easier to see out & what have you !!  It's a great place to be.... not, the village, just the house & the views.  I could live without the village...... mainly the people who live in it !!  Oh well...

A bit later on, the Brazilian F1 race is on - I think it starts about 5ish..... it's the last one of the year & I probably record it, to watch back tomorrow.  Hopefully Mr Button will win, or at least get enough points to come second in the championship !!  That would be great - so, here's hoping !!  It's been a sad year for motor sport, with the guys being killed & so on....... hopefully next year will not be as bad !!

Oh yes - I was going to mention..... looking at the stats, for this old blog of mine - I've had more readers this month, than any other month !!  I thank you for reading !!  To know my words are being read all around the World is a little spooky, but..... I thank you all !!  As I've said before - keep reading, I might write something interesting one day !!  No, really - I thank you.....

Right - I guess that's about all for now....... I forgot how good this Wishbone Ash album was, I'll see if I have anything else by them & dig it out.  I know I have some more of their Cd's here, someplace - just not sure where !!  So - I will away & look for them.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Another Tidy Up...... oops !!

Well Hello There Everybody In Internet Land - how are you Worlds treating you today ?!

It's Saturday morning here in England & as I type 'Close To The Edge' by Yes is just coming to an end.... closely to be followed by Cd 2 of the Rush 'Live In Cleveland set, that came a few days ago.....

At the moment, J (our Son) is someplace upstairs, ME (our Daughter) is working in Street & B (my Wife & Dearest Friend) has just gone off to town, to put some money in the bank !!  I checked my online statement earlier & found I was over spent - so B, has just zoomed off to sort it out !!  Shame really, but life goes on....

I mentioned yesterday, the neighbour from hell & her plans to have an extension added to the house.  Well, this morning, another neighbour came over & she is really p**s*d with all of it !!  So, that's two of us opposed to the build - so.... we'll see how the council feel after that !!  I still think the landlord will get permission to build, but we'll see.  That's at least two households against it - so, it should be interesting !!

I'm still trying to rest up - after the surgery - and I think things are getting better now...... it's not so painful today !!  That's a good thing, tho' I found it hard to get some sleep in the night.... I just couldn't get comfy !!  It seemed like, every time I moved, some one stuck a sharp pin into my back !!  Oh well - it will all heal up when it's ready !!  Then - maybe - I won't be so sore...... roll on next Thursday, when they turn it on - that'll be fun !!

Today is probably be the last day I stay indoors...... I've not been out since I came home.  Even if we just go down to the beach or some thing.  It'll depend on how I am tomorrow, plus of course, what the weather is doing !!  It'll be a bit dumb, to go out in the rain !!  There is going to be a funeral this week, one of the oldest guys in Church died in the week..... hopefully we'll be able to go.  His Wife & him celebrated their 60th wedding a few months ago - wow, 60 years together !!

As for other plans - I'm going to try & start another tidy up.  Give the old table a dust off & put the few Cd's way that are here..... apart from the Rush sets, I had this week... B had an early Christmas pressy, in the form of the Billy Joel re-issue of 'Piano Man'.  It's a 2 Cd set - the first disc being the old album & the second disc being a concert from April 1972.... we have had a tape of the show since 1991 - we picked it up on a trip to Rhode Island - but, the Cd is far better quality !!

I've been contacted by several people, in the last few months.... mainly wanting to loan my Allman Brothers Beacon box set - I don't think too many people will be after the Billy Joel Cd !!  Never mind....

I must away now - things to do & music to play... sorry, lots of music to play !!  Until next time....

Bye Bye

Instrumental Illness !!

Well Hello Again Worlds - how are you all getting along !!

It's just before 7.30pm & I'm playing the Allman Brothers... now, that is the way to relax of an evening !!  It's one of their instrumentals, taken this time from the Beacon shows they did, back in 2003 (I think) & came out on the 'One Way Out' album...... this is really the way to kick back & enjoy life !!  Oh well......

I'm here alone again !!  J had to call B & ME back from the shops earlier, as I was taken poorly !!  So, they left every thing & rushed home... without doing any food shopping !!  J did the right thing, as I was sick - but, now they have had to back out & get the stuff they missed earlier.....  I feel bad about that - I didn't know they hadn't finished, until they came back.... my bad, I'm sorry to say !!

I had a phone call a while ago, from one of my music buddies..... thanking me for the Cd's I had sent him.  I hadn't told him I was going into hospital, so he felt bad about that !!  But, as I said to him, it's  no big deal - he's known me for years & knows how things get around here, but he felt bad about it all..... never mind !!  He got the Cd's & that's what matters - he'll enjoy & make more use of them, than I will !!

So - my plans for tonight.... well, as usual - I don't have any !!  The Allman's are just finishing & now.... for my sins, it's the turn of The Monkees !!  Yep - I kid you not, as I type... tracks from their 'Instant Replay' album are blasting away thru' the speakers !!  Just how sad is that !!  My only defence is I'm sick & I need to have a good laugh from time to time !!  Oh well.........  I do have a soft spot for Michael Nesmith's lyrics - they take me right back to my school days, far, far away in the distant past !!  Never mind... I guess I'll get over it - one day !!

I was going to play the Yes box set, 'In A Word' on shuffle... but, somehow, The Monkees beat Yes to the Cd players !!  How, I don't know - but still.........

.... I had a bit of worry earlier.  Today has been the first  day, that I have really played much music since coming home from the hospital.  Anyhoooooo, I switch the amp on & one of the Cd players - only to find the player didn't work !!  So, after a bit of a freak out, on my part, B reminded me that I had a problem with the 'stack' last weekend.

By 'stack' - I mean, the record deck, the 3 Cd players, the amp & the 2 cassette decks..... they are all in this'stack' thing.  Anyways - as B reminded me - last weekend, the amp wasn't sending anything to one of the speakers.... so I had to move it all out, to replace the cable.  I think, I had unplugged it, while dusting it down.  Not a big problem, but - I didn't check one of the Cd players & I'm guessing, I unplugged that one at the same time.... bummer !!  When my back heals a bit, I'll get in behind the 'stack' & see what I need to get it going again.... it can wait, it's the one Cd player that I use the least - a Pioneer 4 tray CD-R machine !!  I only play it when I'm in the right mood, as I was today, when I switched it on....and got nothing !!  Boo-hoo.

Oh yes, talking of Boo-hoo's.... the morning that B drove me to the hospital, there was a fire at an old hospital a few miles from here, which destroyed the old Georgian mansion, that was there.  This has special meaning to B & I, as it's where we first me, back in 1987 !!  How sad is that, the house burt down !!  The hospital, at that time, was a home for the disabled patients & I used to go there to help out each week in 1986 - after my first wife found her new love in her life !!

Basically, I could of gone out & got smashed every night - but..... I chose to help out at the hospital - to give me something to do.  Then, on July 16th 1987, B showed up to help & the rest is history !!  24 years later, she is still putting up with me.... I'm very happy to say !!

Right - so that's it for tonight.........  I must leave & sit down, in the comfy chair, to listen to this bunch of brilliant music - well, The Monkees anyways..... until next time !!

Bye Bye

I'm back to open warfare !!

Hello & Greetings To All Of You !!  Did you miss me ?  I'm back !!

It's Friday - a little after 2pm & I'm here more or less alone.  B & ME have just gone out to the shops, J is upstairs - so..... that just leaves me, typing these words to you !!  Great stuff !!

It's been a heck of a week.... I think I last wrote/posted on Monday - since then....... well !!

B got me up early on Tuesday morning, got me ready & after a quick phone call to the hospital, we were on the road by 7ish.  So we reached the hospital at 8am & then got sorted out for surgery.  I had to meet my Consultant (well one of them) & fill out some paperwork & at 11am I was at the doors of theatre - saying goodbye to B !!  As usual, they let her come right up to the door with me & then we had to go our different ways..... she went shopping, I went to sleep !!

I had a good laugh & joke with the pr-op team, then at a little after 11am I was knocked out..... I woke up about 3 hours later !!  It was a little before 2.30pm & I found myself back on the ward, with B waiting for me to come around !!  It's always a nice feeling to wake up & see her there......

Anyhooooo - I got dressed as quickly as I was allowed & by 4pm, we were on our ways home !!  I think they wanted me to stay in overnight, but....... I (sort of) talked them into letting me come home, into B's care.  All I would of done in hospital was rest & I was able to do that just as easy at home !!

So, now I have to rest & go back to the hospital next Thursday.... to have the implant actually turned on, that should be fun !!  Hopefully by then, it won't feel as painful as it does at the moment !!  B says I have a 4 inch "gash" in my lower back & - of course - every time I move, it hurts like mad !!  It'll heal up - that's the main thing....... so, I hope, that's my last surgery of 2011.  Yippppeeeeeee !!  It hurts, but I'm home.... that's the main thing.... now to get it behind me & enjoy life with the family !!

Ok - it seems there is some more fun in the pipeline, from the "neighbour from hell" who I have mentioned before over the year.  It seems they were hoping to put up a large extension to their house.  By large, I mean it would of increased the house by about 50%....... it would be massive !!

Anyways - we knew nothing of these plans, until a letter came thru' the door, asking for our views on the subject.  The local council has written to us, mainly as the proposed build will cut across our view + with all the building work, will cause a lot of problems with traffic & what have you !!  B has already replied, to oppose the work.... on various ground, mainly the hassle it's going to cause !!  So, if the neighbour was hoping to doing a bit of surprise building, the council have stuck their nose in & let us know about it !!

See - I go away to the hospital for a few hours & I come home to open warfare !!  Never mind - they will get permission to do the building work, but B just wanted to let them know that we knew all about it & it wasn't going to be a surprise anymore !!

Something we did find out tho'..... the neighbour keeps going on about her wonderful house & what have you - but, it turns out that she doesn't own the place !!  Now that's got to hurt - making out you have this huge house & then people finding out you don't own the place !!  It's her landlord who wants to put up the extension.  Oh well.......... life goes on !!

So must I really........  I have to sit down & have a rest.  The music of the moment has been Gov't Mules concert from London in November 2009.  I've not felt like playing too much over the last day or two, but I've enjoyed listening to this !!  It rocks along quite nicely, thank you !!  Until next time....

Bye Bye

Monday, Monday.... yep it's Monday again !!

Well Hello Again !!  I trust your Worlds are keeping you happy !!

It's just before 5pm here in England... it's dark & very foggy outside - "pea soup" thick fog !!  Never mind - I'm here in the warm, got the heating on, the TV is playing silently over in the corner & I'm listening to the 3 Cd set of 'Once In A Lifetime' by Talking Heads.....  I saw it on the shelf, so decided to give it a play thru'..... so far so good !!  I've put it on shuffle - so I've no idea which track will play next.... should be fun.

It's been a very strange sort of day....... B got me up about 10, came down.... watched some TV & then we went into town.  It was raining very hard, so B did most of the bit's & bob's, while I sat in the car.  ASDA was really empty - for a Monday anyhoo - but... that wasn't sooooo bad as I hate the crowds !!  So far, so good !!

We came home & we were just getting things together, when the phone rang........ it was a lady member of the Church, who lives up on the hills behind us.  Anyways, she asked if B could go up, as another lady from Church had just cut her finger - I think she was just visiting.

Anyways... B went up & several hours later, she has just come home.  She took the lady to the hospital & then brought her back to get her car...... about 3 hours or so after she left home.  It seems that the cut finger needed 5 stitches to fix, so it was pretty bad !!  Oh well.....

B has just come home & gone right out again, with ME - who is in town to have her hair cut..... she wanted B to go with her, for company & for a little support, I guess - so.... it's been a strange type of day really !!  B has been running around like a mad thing - bless her for helping.... I'm not sure what they would of done had she had been out !!  Thankfully we were here for her......

Ok - it's a Monday evening..... tomorrow is the big day !!  Unless they cancel it again..... if they do that, well - you'll hear me complaining very loudly, no matter what country you're in !!  I have to telephone first thing in the morning, to confirm the surgery is still on & then we're off to the hospital for - I think, about 7.30 or 8am.

So - tomorrow is going to be another hectic day for B -  she should rest a bit, while I'm in surgery - but, I suspect, she'll just keep going until she gets home !!

I hope I'll be home with her, but that will depend on things go & how well I am !!  Time will tell I guess - it will be alright, but.... there is always the chance things will conspire to keep me in overnight !!  We'll see.....

Yesterday was good - we went to Church in the morning & met a few people.  I also came home with a small box of Lp's.... I'm going to put them onto Cd for the guy who owns them.  Bless him - he must be well into his 70's (I guess) & the look on his face - well, it was a gem !!  The Lp's are quite old - but seem to be in really good condition, so things should turn out Ok..... it will fun listening to them !!  Mostly classical, but what the heck - I can listen to the Allman Brothers afterward...........

...... or the new Rush Cd's, that came today !!  Yep - they came & I've played the 2011 2 Cd set right thru'... it's well good !!  It has all of the 'Moving Pictures' album on it - done live - so, that is really good !!  At last, I have a live version of 'The Camera Eye' & that is a bonus !!  Sometime down the ways, I'll pick up their DVD, that goes with this album..... it should be good to watch !!  It won't be for a while tho' - maybe in a month or two !!

I've not played the other Rush album - recorded back in 1974.... but, I'll try & give that a listen when I come home from the hospital !!  Plenty of time to think about that afterwards......

Right - so, the plan tonight is just to rest up & take it very easy for the remaining hours this evening....... no excitement, just a quiet night watching TV & sitting beside the my Wife & Dearest Friend.  I don't think there is much to watch - but, it's going to be good anyways !!

I had thought I would be rushing around.... but, I did everything yesterday.  Caught up on my e-mails, put things away & just got things in general, sorted out !!  I don't think my computer table has ever been so tidy !!  It will not last - that's for sure !!

The family were all here last night - for our 'last supper' !!  B keeps moaning at me for calling it that - but, it's all in fun !! She does worry tho & feels we shouldn't tempt fate, so to speak....... it went well tho' !!  Everybody ate to the hearts were full & we had a great family evening together !!  Even ME ate a plateful - that's a first !!  It meant a lot to me to have the guys here tho' - took my mind off of things & what have you.... if that makes any sense !!

So, that's about it for now.... for a day or two at least !!  I see my friend in Russia has logged on today - I thank you for reading my words & - to all of you out there in Internet World...., keep reading.... until next time...

Bye Bye

The Cd's are put away - but there is still a mess here in front of me !!

Greetings Worlds Of The Great Internet.... I hope you are all doing well !!

Well - it's a Saturday.... quite a murky one, looking out of the window.  I could see the sea earlier, but the mist has come in now, covering almost everything - never mind !!

At the moment, the ladies of the house are in town.  B has gone in to do some shopping & ME is working today.  Luckily she had a bit of a rest this morning - she didn't start until 11.30am - so, after all her travelling to & fro to placement these past weeks, a rest was well in order !!  B went in a short while ago... so, hopefully, she'll be home in a couple of hours.....

A little while ago, we had a visit from one of my old teachers, from college.  He has always kept an eye on me, to see how we're doing.  He has just moved back, into the area.... he moved a ways away, to teach at another college... now - as he is retiring, he has moved back this way.  It's great when real friends drop by, it's good to know they care......  hopefully we'll see him again soon !!  We always have a good talk about things.... usually, it comes back to our beliefs - we know the Lord is with us, we just don't agree on a few of the details !!  Oh well.........

Today, so far, has been a good day - I have had a reasonable night - managed to get a few solid hours of sleep, so that's a bonus !!  I have to rest this weekend - I know..... but, what I call resting & others call resting, are two different things !!  So far, I've managed to sort out nearly all of the Cd's stacked on the table & played a few of them..... at the moment, the Gregg Allman show, that Lady V sent me earlier in the year is blasting it's way out of the speakers - really loud !!  It's a great Cd & my thanks go out to Lady V for thinking of me & sending it...... it's a brilliant reminder of the concert B & I saw, back in July - well good !!  It's funny, but the CD's have been put away - but I still have a big mess in front of me..... better get back to it, I guess !!

A few people have asked me for the loan of the set ( the one I'm playing) - but that is not going to happen..... I might not see it again !!  Oh well....... I'm glad to have it in the collection - it will get played over & over, that's for sure !!  I must put it on the iPod so we can play it as we go out & about !!

We are going to Church in the morning...... no matter what !!  Next weekend is Stake Conference & I can't imagine I'll be going to that..... it's about a 100 mile round trip.  Not knowing how I'm going to be after surgery on Tuesday - well.... tomorrow, will be my last chance for a week or so........

...... plus, we're going to pick up some old Lp's from another Church member.  I might have said all of this before.... but.... Last Sunday, a guy called B.... came up & asked me if I wanted his old Lp's, as he couldn't play them anymore.  So, I offered to transfer them over to Cd for him.  I'm guessing he no longer has a record deck, just something to play Cd's on - it will be a bit of fun !!  The look on his face, when I said I would do it - it was a real picture !!  He asked "can you do that ?" & when I said it wouldn't be a problem - well...... his face was well worth it, bless him !!  I'm not sure how many Lp's or Cd's it will be - but.... I don't mind.  It's not as if he asked me to do it - he just wanted to give me the records - having them back on Cd, well.... I don't think it even crossed his mind !!  I'll see if he brings them in the morning...... & what they are !!

Gregg Allman is just going thru' 'Dreams' - it's one of my favourites....... Ok, it's not the Allman Brothers - but, it's the next best thing !!  I think the Alman's are back on the road now - at some point...... so, maybe (just maybe) B will let me have those shows, as well !!  That way, I'll have all of their 2011 concerts.  I've never done that before, with the Allmans - managed to get all of the shows from one year - could be good !!

I was hoping the Rush Cd's would be here today - but, nothing has shown up !!  To be honest - it was going to be a long shot, at best.  I really hope they will get here on Monday or else I won't be able to play them until later in the week !!  Time will tell I guess........ at least they w should be here when I get home from the hospital - they better be !!

Ok - I really must away now.... I've still got a few Cd's to sort out & time is a wasting !!  I need to get some printing out of the way as well & I would rather do that in daylight - just in case I make a mistake !!  Until next time, thanks for reading......

Bye Bye

The End Of Another Week !!

Good Evening Worlds - how you all turning tonight ?!!

It's another Friday - which means the end of another week, with just weekend to go..... one week closer to the end of another year !!  How time goes when you're having fun !!

I've been a little tardy this week... I've not posted since Tuesday - shame on me !!  But, with one thing & another, I've just not been near to doing a post.... sorry about that, I hope I can be forgiven...... good !!  Ok, onwards......

The family... well, J, is upstairs... ME is out with her boyfriend & B, my Wife & Dearest Friend, has just gone out to a gym class..... leaving me here typing these words.  The music of the moment is the 24th February 1969 show, by The Jimi Hendrix Experience - recorded at The Royal Albert Hall, in London - which is credited as the "last ever" show by the Experience line up.  I don't know about that.... I'm not a massive collector of Hendrix stuff, but I found this set on the shelf & decided to give it a good listen.... so far so good !!

I'll check with a mate, who knows more about Hendrix, to see if this was their last show together - he knows more about it than I do....... for me, Hendrix at Woodstock was a better set - but this is quite good really !!  I can't remember the last time I played it thru' !!  Never mind.... onwards........

It's been a bit of a hectic week..... Wednesday we had to go into town to buy some stuff & pay some bills - that was a bit of a rush !!  We thought we would go in mid-morning & take our time....... it turned out that J had to go to a thing, about 9.30am - so we took him in & did everything at the same time !!  A real rush around !!

That night, our Home Teachers came over & we spent an hour or so, talking with them - it was a good night, with pleasant company !!  We all agreed, the talks on Sunday were - well, shall we say, not the best we've heard !!  Never mind - we all had a good laugh about it !!  If all goes well, we'll be at Church on Sunday, to meet up again...... I'll see how I get on.  I'm supposed to rest this weekend, but - a quick trip out to Church shouldn't be too much of a problem.  Besides, I can rest up on Monday, if need be !!

Yesterday was another rush around sort of day !!  Doing this & that - going into town & trying to finish things off that we should of done the day before...... never mind !!  We got around & did what we had to do !!

We were going to have a bit of a family "get together" on Monday night.... as a joke, called 'The Last Supper' - before my surgery on Tuesday..... as it has turned out, that is going to happen on Sunday now.  ME's boyfriend is still coming over, but it's turned out that Sunday is going to be the better day...... so, a slight change of plans !!  It'll just mean we have more time together - on Sunday - rather than Monday !!

Today - with the surgery in mind - I had to see 2 of my doctors.  This morning as a quick check up, to make sure I'm doing alright & this afternoon - really, to discuss what was going to happen & to talk about this mornings meeting........ if all goes well, I might be allowed to come off of some of my pills in the next few months - we'll see how things go, but that will be something to look forward to, in the near future !!  Time will tell....... & I'm not going to hold my breath !!

So, really - things are all set now.  In 4 days I will go into hospital for the surgery & if goes well - I'll be home either that night or a day or 2 later.  I really hope to get home the same day - but..... it's not going to be up to me !!

For me, it's easy - but for B, it's a lot worse.... she has to wait & see how I get on & look after me, when I get home.  I have the easy part, as I have said before !!  I keep telling her not to worry, but - well, it's not easy for her !!  We'll see how things go.......

I'm still trying to sort out some Cd's - the ones that are still in front of me, here on the table !!  I've just not felt like doing them.... I've sorted out a few of them, but I still have a lot to look at & put away !!  I keep meaning to do them & then something comes along.... things get left !!  I must try & do them this weekend - to get them out the way & sort out the mess !!  Oh well.........

I really hope the new Rush Cd's will be here soon.... probably by Monday at the latest !!  I don't think they will get here tomorrow - but, you never know.  I could put them on the iPod thingy in the car.  As we were driving around today, we've been playing Gov't Mule's 'The Deepest End' album.  It's a great way to catch up on albums that I don't play in the house !!  If the Rush albums get here, I might get to listen to them in hospital - if I have to stay overnight, at least !!

When I was in there, once before - I had sooooo many new Cd's come from friends around the World, I couldn't keep up with them !!  In the end, B was bringing stuff in one day & taking them home the next - so I could play the new stuff !!  To this day, I'm not sure if I ever played everything that I was given.....  I'm sure I did, it was a long time ago now !!

I know one friend - a big Led Zeppelin fan - was really happy.... as I was getting so many Cd's come thru' - he was having them on loan, before I had even played them thru' !!  He now lives in Scotland, so we don't meet much anymore - but, I know, if he was still living here - well.......  I didn't mind doing it at the time !!  Now, I don't loan albums out to anyone.  I'm not being tight, or anything - I just got so fed up of, either the discs coming back damaged or - worse still - not seeing the things for months !!  Oh well.......... onwards !!

So, that's about it for tonight..... the Hendrix album is just ending, so it's a good place to stop...... so, until next time... maybe tomorrow.....

Bye Bye

How Not To Give A Talk - the next generation !!

Hi Again Everybody - how has your day been ?!

Well, I was here earlier & was going quite well.... next thing I know, I felt really 'ill' & had a trip back to bed for over 2 hours !!  It's a life, but........ onwards !!  It's now Tuesday evening - B has gone out to weight watchers, ME is sat near by, on her laptop & J is behind me, in the kitchen - having just done the dishes...... he was the only one who had anything to eat, so.........

I mentioned earlier, the mist outside..... well, while I was watching earlier - this 'band' of mist went by, & just went up into the air.  It was really weird to watch it, as it journeyed by the house !!  Most times, I would of blamed the drugs, but....... it was strange !!  It was as if the mist caught a warm air burst & shot higher into the sky !!  Oh well.........

Talking of drugs - as I type, I'm playing an old compilation set of 4 Cd's called ' Acid Drops, Spacedust & Flying Saucers'.... what a brilliant name for an album !!  It is a collection of 1960's "psychedelic confectionery from the UK underground" - well, that's what it says on the cover anyhoooooo.  It really is a weird collection & I think the only  2 reasons I have a copy are The Herd's 'From The Underground' & Eric Burdon & The Animals' 'Sky Pilot'..... both of which I had on old 45's & which - on these Cd's - are a far better quality !!

There are some other 'classic' stuff on the Cd's - but.... well, I only got myself a copy because of the above... at the moment, 'The Days Of Pearly Spencer' by David McWilliams is playing.... great stuff really !!  Where is he now ?  Answers on the back of a £50 note, to me please............. thank you !!

Tomorrow is going to be a bit hectic....... B & I are having to go into town, to get some food & stuff + I need to get some ink, as my printer has run out !!  It's a bit of a bummer really - if one cartridge runs out, the printer shuts down, I can't even print in black only........ unfortunately, I've run out of 2 colours at the same time !!  So, tomorrow - as it's cheaper - I have to buy a multi pack of 4 colours..... then we will be back in business..... well, able to print again, at least !!  W H Smiths want £21 for just a black ink cartridge, where as ASDA want £39 for a pack of 4..... so, it's a "no brainer" really - I have to buy the 4 pack !!  I know, I can get them cheaper thru' the Internet - but..... I need them now, not next week sometime !!  I don't like being unable to print, while ME is still doing Uni stuff..... she might need it at anytime, so..........

Hopefully, also tomorrow, I should sort out a copy of the new Rush Cd...... I won't get a copy tomorrow (unless I'm very lucky)... but, I should be able to sort something out, to get a copy sooner, rather than later !!  I could wait until Christmas, but..... it's music & - when it comes to music - I'm very unlikely to wait very long !!  Oh well - we'll see what tomorrow brings........ but, here's hoping !!

I was talking with the guys earlier, about the talk (at Church) on Sunday....... it's one thing we've learned from college - be prepared !! Be it a talk at Church, or a thing at Uni etc etc - it has to be thought about, at least, before hand !!  Oh well - tomorrow night, our Home Teachers are coming over - I'm not going to mention it, but I would be interested in their thoughts (about it) !!  For me, it was 35+ minutes of rambling - I still do not know what the topic was....... never mind !!

B & I agree, both talkers are very nice people.... but !!  We wonder, if you insisted the second speaker did not mention his family - in any shape or form - well...... he would be a very quiet person !!  Ok, I know - The Church is about family, he obviously loves his, but........ hopefully, I'll be called on to do a talk at some point - it has been a year (almost) since I was last "at the front"..... & that was different anyhooooooo - never mind !!  It will have to be after the next couple of services anyways......

Hopefully - and I'm willing to bribe my way out of it - by this time next Tuesday, I should be either home from the hospital, or at least be near to coming home !!  B keeps telling me, that I might have to stay overnight - but, I hope & pray I will be allowed home the same night !!  I have to be in there for 7.30am - so, if all goes well, by lunch time it will be all over & I'll be in recovery, or maybe on a ward.... just waiting to come home !!  Time will tell, I guess - but, I can't wait to get it behind me..... if it gets cancelled again, I will be a little upset, just a little........

Next Monday night, the whole family are getting together.... the 4 of us + ME's boyfriend... for a meal - jokingly called "The Last Supper" !!  Ok - it's a bit 'sick'.... but, you have to laugh or else we would just walk around with our chins on the ground !!  Actually - I would love to be able to walk around.... "maybe next time" !!  Besides - it will take our minds off of what is going to happen........  I'm not looking forward to the surgery, especially the stitches, but.... I'm looking forward to getting it behind us !!  Life goes on & on....

.... & so must I really......... it's getting late & once again, I need my beauty sleep !!  If not now, then certainly later !!  So, for now... I will away, thank you for reading - especially my new reader(s) in the Philippines + my American friend, who logged in today ....  until next time......

Bye Bye

How Not To Give A Talk !!

Hi Everybody - How Are Your Worlds Treating You Today !!

It's a Tuesday here in old England - I'm sat here, J is upstairs, B has gone to a gym class & ME has gone into town for lunch.... something to do with her finishing her Uni placement this week, I'm really not sure to be honest !!

Anyhoooooo - is a bright, cold day here.... there is a lot of mist out over the coast, so the sea is hidden away at the moment - I can't see anything, but a fog bank rolling up the channel !!  Never mind, it's pretty warm here in the house, so I'm not toooooo worried !!

It's been a good weekend, B & I went to Church yesterday & I managed to stay for the whole service !!  I've not been able to do that for a long time..... mind you, B did slip me some pain killers, part way thru' - so that helped !!  It was our Remembrance Sunday service & I really wanted to go to that..... I even managed to stand for the two minutes silence - with a lot of help from B, who held onto me so I didn't fall over !!  I'm glad we went.........

....... if nothing else, to remember those who have died, to think of Our Lord & to listen to one of the most "off the wall" rambling talks, I think I have ever heard at Church !!  It started off fine, but after about 30 minutes or so, Bishop gave the speaker a note - we're guessing - telling him to sit down !!  It was one of those talks - well, to be honest, I don't really know what the subject was.... it just rambled along, with no real conclusion or anything else really !!  What made it even more "exciting" was the second speaker - who, well - just rambled along for another 10 or so minutes..... again, no subject - just a talk !!

I asked B if we had brought food, I could see the service going on for hours !!  As it was, it all finished off just 5 minutes late....... it was a service to remember & that was for sure !!  I'm glad we went !!  If nothing else, it was a lesson on how not to give a talk !!  I don't think we'll be going on Sunday, I'm supposed to rest up this weekend, but I'll see how things go........ I would like to go, if I'm able.......

It's one week today, then it'll be into the hospital for my next surgery - seven whole days & I hope it'll be done !!  I just want to get it over with now...... get it all behind me !!

Oh well...... life goes on....... the music of the moment is Jimi Hendrix's 'Electric Ladyland' album.  No real reason, I just found it on the shelf & decided to give it a play.....  some of it is pretty good, but I prefer his live stuff really......

I'll be back later..... until then......

Bye Bye

Is Your Sky The Right Shade Of Blue ?

Hi Everybody On Your Internet Worlds !!  Is your sky the right shade of blue ?!

It's a brilliant Saturday morning here in old England.... the sky is bright, the rain has blown thru' & life feels good !!  That might be the drugs speaking, but I feel pretty good this morning.... drugs or no drugs !!

Two of the family are out at the moment.... B has just gone into town to sort out a few things & then onto the gym, while ME is working in Taunton today.  J has just got up - probably because I have the music up a little loud - so, that leaves me here typing on this old keyboard of mine !!  It's - for me - going to be a quiet day, in spirit, if not in practice........ the music will be loud today !!

At the moment, I'm playing Lou Reed's 'Coney Island Baby' live set......... it's an old VHS tape, transferred over to CD, for my own personal use !!  I'm not sure when it was recorded - I'll have to check it out at some point !! 

The reason for playing it this morning, well - it's simple.... Lou Reed & Metalica were on TV last night, to do a few tracks & so..... I dug this out today, just to play thru'.  I think it was recorded in 1987, tho' I'm not really sure !!

B was looking thru' a music mag I bought last week...... there is an advert in there for the latest Nightwish album.... Yippeeeeeeeee !!  I think Father Christmas is going to be very busy this year !!  I didn't think it would be out until the new year, so that's a bonus !!  The last album 'Dark Passion Play' was well good...... let's hope the new one is as good !!

Lou Reed is just playing thru' 'Walk On The Wild Side'..... a great song !!  I should play more of his stuff, I know I have some Cd's over on the shelf - I just forget about them - never mind !!

From what I can see, the vigil went well in Taunton last night, with hundreds of invited guest there.... I suspect it would of been many more, had the public been let in.  It will take a while, but hopefully the healing process will kick in & lives will go on...........  time will tell on that one.

I see my Russian & American readers have been logged in - many thanks for reading...... it's great to know you're there ..... also my friend in India !!  Keep reading, it really is good to know that you're there !!  I only started this blog, to give me something to do, to try & keep my thoughts together !!  To know that 1000+ pages have been read around the World is kind of weird..... but, in a brilliant way, if that makes any sense at all !!

I'm not sure what the weekend holds for us, plan wise...... if all goes well, we'll be at Church tomorrow - but, that will depend how things go & what sort of night I have.  Last night was pretty good - I seem to get thru' it alright - woke up several times, but managed to get back to sleep... so, that helped !!  Even knowing I wasn't going to do very much today, being a Saturday.... well, I look forward to the weekends, I really do..... it's another week over & that means soooo much to me !!

B has already started getting things together, for my surgery on the 22nd.  We always have an 'emergency' bag on hand - just for when I go in unexpected - but, she is getting everything sorted, so I don't have to worry about it next week, or whenever it is !!  10 days today..... it's coming along, a day at a time !!  Oh well.........

I'm enjoying this Lou Reed Cd - I'm not sure when I last played it !!  Probably years ago.... I played 'The Raven' a lot, when I first got that.... but, his live stuff is sooooo much better !!

The 'phone just rang, so I picked it up..... some guy sang to me for about 30 seconds, then put the phone down !!  This is one weird place we live in - mind you, I've not been to any other Worlds, so perhaps the Universe is all like this - now, there is a question for another day !!  

Well, as Lou Reed is coming to an end, I better away......... until next time.....

Bye Bye 

2112 - "Once more into the breach, dear friends......" !!

It,s  A Big Hello To You All In Internet Land - How are your Worlds treating you today ?!!

We're all doing Ok...... B has just gone out to her Friday night gym class, J is upstairs & my beautiful, blue eyed Daughter is sat a few feet away, doing some kind of paper work - I'm guessing to do with Uni... not really sure !!

It's another Friday & it's pouring with rain outside !!  It started off Ok this morning, but - as the day has gone on - the weather has really closed in.... wet & horrible !!  I haven't been very far today - just for my weekly check up, at our doctors.... having said that, I've been twice this week !!  Never mind.......

I mentioned a few days ago...I think.... that my next surgery, would be my last one of the year.  Well, no sooner had I written that, then in the post - I get an appointment for the hospital, for another one (I guess) in February !!  How about that then.... I was really happy to get this year behind me & then, well - it's all kicking off again in 2112 !!  "Once more into the breach, dear friends"........I'm sure it'll all work out, but......... just when I thought it was safe to have a smile on my face, another thing comes along to turn my smile upside down !!  Crazy..... it seems I'm keeping the hospital going, all on my own !!  Oh well - life will go on & I'll keep flapping my old arms !!  Remember, if you're falling a long way - you may as well try & fly !!  Sorry to repeat myself - but............

Talking of 2112 - I found out that one of my favourites bands has a new 'live' album out !!  Yippeeeeee !!  It's Rush (did you get the 2112 bit ?) & I'll check the Cd out sometime soon...... mainly as it's from their most recent tour.  from what I've seen - it covers their 'Moving Pictures' album & must be worth a listen !!  To hear a good version of 'The Camera Eye' - well, is going to be better than the bootleg versions that are floating around !!

There is also a Cd of an old radio show they did, back in 1974.... I think I have a copy of that one on Cd already - as a bootleg, called 'By-Tor '74'.  I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's the same show - time will tell & hopefully Father Christmas will bring me a copy !!  Here's hoping.... I'll have to drop a few big hints over the coming weeks !!

My favourite Rush album is 'Signals' - which came out in 1982 or there abouts....... on the tour they did at the time, I was "allowed" to see them twice in one week !!  On the Saturday in Birmingham & then again the following Saturday, in London - both shows were brilliant !!  The downside was, as I went to see Rush - I had to agree to go & see 'The Kids From Fame' - again, at Birmingham......... as I say, it was the downside !!

Those were the days, when we had money - by 'we'... well, it was before I met B - a long (well, 4 years) time before !!  How things have changed...... for the better I must add !!

The music of the moment is Mike Oldfield's 'Exposed' Cd....... J found me a copy somewhere & gave it to me today.  It's really good to hear it again, I've only ever had it before on Lp & tape... so, to have the Cd is a big bonus !!  At the moment, it's playing quite nicely along to my typing !!  The only copy I've seen for sale, was on Play.com & (as I may have said before) they wanted £70+ for it....... it's good, but not that good !!

It makes a nice change really - I've been playing soooo much by Peter Gabriel over the last couple of days, well - it makes a change !!  Mind you - the concert PG did, back in October, has come out really well - as with his DVD, it would be good to have it on an official release !!  Maybe one day........

On a sad note - it's one week ago, tonight..... well, since the car crash, just outside of Taunton.  To mark the crash, there is a vigil being held in the car park of a supermarket, just below the crash site.  It was going to be open to the public, but the police were worried about the number of people who would of gone, so it was limited to just those involved.  Firemen, ambulance & the such like.......... it's a real pity it's pouring with rain, I suspect it will be a very moving thing to be at.  we would of gone, but....... we were not involved.

As for the weekend - again, I have no plans what so ever !!  I'm really on a self enforced 'rest' at the moment !!  I do not want anything to upset things, for my surgery !!  Ok, I know it's still 10 days away, but - there is no way I'm going to be the one responsible for it being called off again !!  If I catch a bug, or come done with a cold at the last moment - well, it is going to happen this time....... or at least, I really hope it will !!

Sure, it was the Consultant who got sick last time - I ain't going to do anything to upset things this time around !!  All being well, by this time, in 2 weeks, it will be all behind us & I'll be home - playing music & with my family !!  There is a thing to look forward to........ forget the pain & (maybe) the stitches - I will be home !!  Time will tell, I guess.... but - I'll do my best to keep things going in the right direction !!

Mike Oldfield has just ended, so - for my sins - I'm back playing Peter Gabriel.... never mind, it's all music !!  I was going to play his greatest hits...... but, I seem to have put the wrong Cd in the machine, oooooops !!  I know a few people, who want copies of this 'live' stuff - but they're out of luck !!  They can go & buy their own copies of the DVD !!  I gave J my copy, he'll play it more than I will + he has most of the DVD's that Gabriel has brought out........... onwards !!

If we can, we will be at Church on Sunday - it's Remembrance Sunday & I really hope we can go.  Today, being the 11th of November, there were services all around the country at 11am....... I don't think I have ever been to one (?) - one day, I hope !!  It's been a sort of strange day, date wise !! 11-11-11 !!  I was talking to B about it earlier - the next time will be - I guess - in a years time, 12-12-12..... then, well..... you get the idea ?!  I'm not sure I do !!  Oh well - what do you expect, I'm getting tired, it's pushing towards 7pm & my bed time... not quite yet tho' !!

But - that's about it for tonight.... nothing more to really write about.... so, for now.....until next time...

Bye Bye

Hello Again Everybody !!

Helloooooo Again Worlds - How you all doing today ?!!

Well, it's a wet Wednesday here in England.... it's been raining most of the day, tho' I just said "bye bye" to B & it's dried up quite a bit now.  Nevermind, I have no intention on going out tonight - it can do what it wants really !!

B has just gone out to a gym class, ME & her boyfriend are here as is J.... so, apart from the cats, that's all of us !!  My plans are really to type a few words to you guys on Internet Worlds & then sort myself out for bed.... such an exciting life I lead !!

I was going to mention it before, but - well, I forgot !!  On Sunday.. a few days ago, there was a, sort of, "coming together" in town.  I didn't know about it until Monday, but it seems that over 1000 people got together in town on Sunday, for a minutes silence for the car crash victims.  We have this statue thing, to celebrate the spirit of carnival - as the crash happened the same night as the towns carnival, people gathered  at the statue, to remember the victims.  It's amazing how a thing can bring people together !!

On another side of the coin... also on Sunday, there was a celebration - that is the only way I can sort of call it - to celebrate the life of Marco Simoncelli.  It was the first Moto race, since his death & they did exactly what his Dad wanted...... a minute of noise !!  I saw a film of it & all the bikes made as much noise as they could & quite a few of them did a lap of the circuit, in his memory.  As bike racing fans, it was a very moving & apt way to say a farewell to a real character !!

Ok - to move on...... the guys are all upstairs & it sounds like a heard of elephant moving around !!  J's computer chair is on wheels & as he moves around (above where I'm seating)... well, it sound like he's coming thru' to see me !!

Talking of upstairs.  Earlier, our eldest cat was dead to the World on ME's bed - we thought he was ill !!  Then we realised that ME had left her electric blanket on, so he was as warm as toast !!  They say animals are stupid - but, he knew where the best place to be was, on a wet & cold day like today !!  Tho' - I think he's still pretty stupid anyways.......

Checking the stats earlier, I would like to say a "Hello" to my American friends & say thank you for logging in today !!  I know where some of you live - but, it's always great to know you're all reading these words of mine !!  At the moment, there are readers in Russia, who seem to log on most days + all of you other guys !! So, "Hello" to all of you !!

The music of the moment is a really bad Pink Floyd recording from 1977 - it's listed as a soundboard, but... never mind - I'll change to something better next time !!

I've been helping B today, in the kitchen....... sort of !!  She has wanted an extra bit of shelf space, so with J's help & a lot of moaning on my part, we fitted a new one !!  The moaning wasn't sooooo bad & was my own fault anyhooo !!  I thought I had cut it , to the right size - but, I didn't take into account that the walls were not square !!  So - after cutting it thru', with the saw - I had to trim one edge, over & over, until I got it to fit !!  Still, it's fitted now & has help give B a bit more space........ plus, as the old saying goes, you can always make something smaller, but if I had cut the wood too small in the first place, I couldn't of added to it, to make it larger !!  It's all in - and that's another job ticked off my "things to do" list !!  B did say, I didn't have to do it today - but, as I had help & felt sort of "Ok".... well, it's done now !! Looks good tho' !!

Talking of things to do - we watch this programme on TV - it's about the immigration & customs people in Australia.  A guy, on there today, did something, I would love to do.  He left France, flew for 24 hours to Australia, stayed less than 16 hours, to do some shopping & then flew home !!  How cool is that !!

I hate to think what it cost & the Australians found it hard to believe his story - but he came, went shopping & flew home !!  Now, that is style......... in my book of things to do, I've just added a page.  Go to Sydney for the day, to go shopping !!  Great stuff................ We have a bucket list - very few of which will get done, but.......... around the World, to go shopping & back again - that is pure class !!

I would love to go to Australia, to go & see "The Dig Tree" - I would find that very emotional - but I would love to do it...... there are other things I'm going to do first, one of which will be dying - but, hey - everybody should have a list of things to do.

High on our list is to go back to America.  I want to see my God Daughter in the North East & her folks - just to say, "thank you" for being my friend & then ... well, down to Georgia & over to Utah.  The latter is the most important -  I will give my dying breath, to be in Utah & I mean that !! Just once & then I'll be happy !! 

B gives way, to my mad idea's - as she knows they are unlikely, ever to happen !!  Bless her - we can dream. Right ?  Right !!

I'm still thinking about the two of us going on a Mission.  Now then, that would be a really great thing to have in the bag - to spread The Word Of Our Lord, to be missionaries & to be together to do it as we grow older !! The is something I would love to do - the more I think about, the more it's given me something to give reasons to live for !!  I just feel, that if I set my heart on it - it will, with the Lords help & guidance really give my life the end I would like to have & to me something it needs !!  Hopefully it will happen, in the next few years ..... we will see.  The Lord cannot open the door, the two of us have done that - he's in our hearts & we love Him.  A Mission is something I would love to do........ we'll see !!

We have a 'Baking' show - these two guys go around the country, stopping at places to meet & cook for people.  I might have said this already, but on one of their latest show, there was just a camera shop, looking up thru' this street - there, walking along, were two Missionaries !!  If I get chance, I'll show it to our Missionaries, to see if they know the two om film.

Oh well, I must away - it's getting late now & I promised I would run B a hot bath, for when she gets home, so I'm away.... until next time.....

Bye Bye

Another Tuesday....

Hail & Greetings My Friends Of The Internet Worlds.......

Things are moving on here.....I mentioned the horrible car crash last Friday night - I think the total killed was 7, with 51 injured.  The TV footage was pretty bad, it looked incredible !!  Our hearts go out to all those involved.

I've just come home from the hospital & B drove back over the same bit of motorway, where the accident happened.  It's amazing really, considering the flames & wreckage, the 'guys' have put the road back to how it was before..... they must of worked really hard over the weekend !!

As mentioned, I've just come back from another hospital visit !!  I had to go in for a pre-op check over...... not to stay.  So, I've had a new ECG, blood pressure & weight check - already for my surgery, two weeks today !!  It's all booked up & we're ready to go.... so, here is hoping it all goes well !!

It was funny tho'..... B & I were in the waiting room & the people around us were moaning - as usual - about the delays, in being seen.  Anyhooooo, one by one they were being called in Mr X & Mrs Y & what have you........ the ones left, still moaning !!  Then the nurse came in, to collect me "Hello again, how are doing ?" & so on - honestly, you could of heard a pin drop !!  I wish I could of been a fly on the wall, to have heard what was said, after we left. We have been in there, so many times, the nurses & Dr's know me & call us by our first names !!  It's no good moaning about the delays - if you're that sick, you get seen !!  Oh well........

Never mind - it's two weeks to go & I hope it'll be all behind me.... no more surgeries in the pipeline for the rest of the year !!  Yippeeeee !!  Great stuff - we'll see what the new year brings..... I know I'll be back in hospital at some point, but - to get this surgery behind me, before Christmas - well, here's hoping !!

Right.... I mentioned B, she took me to the hospital & has now gone back out to a gym class.  Our Son, J is upstairs & our daughter ME has gone into town for an hour or two, as part of her Uni placement.  We saw her driving in, as we came home........  I was hoping she would stay home today. She has had a really bad 'cold' & has been well under the weather...... so much so, that she stayed home yesterday - in bed.  She will be home soon, so hopefully she is a bit better today !!  We'll see....

So that leaves me here, typing these words.  The music of the moment is Peter Gabriel's 'New Blood' soundtrack, the one I did from his latest DVD.... I'm playing the Cd's one more time, before putting them on the shelf !!  They came out really well & I'm very happy with them..... plus, being on Cd, it'll get played more than the DVD.  Hopefully there will be an official release at some point - that'll be good !!

The plan today is to stay indoors & rest up.  last Saturday - the last time I posted - I felt really poorly & went to bed in the afternoon.........  I sort of got up late on Sunday, over 24 hours later !!  That meant we missed Church again !! But as B said, there was no point going, while I was sick....... which is true, but - I miss going & as my health gets worse, I suspect I'll be missing more & more !!  Time will tell, but the Lord is with us, so we know we're in in hands.

I think, later this week, our home teachers are coming around.  I've lost track really, tho' we did see K (home teacher) in town yesterday & he is going to e-mail me to confirm the date & time.  I wasn't too good yesterday & I'm not 100% sure what was happening..... we'll see how things go !!

I'm also trying to sort out another package of old Cd's to send off to a friend.  I wanted to get it done last week, but never got around to it !!  It's only things I don't want anymore & I'm sure he will like & can use.  I should get most of it sorted over the next couple of days...... we'll see !!

Anyhooooo - that's about it for today.  as usual, there is nothing much happening here !!  Just me, the computer, the music & my thanks to you for reading !!  Until next time.......

Bye Bye

A Sadness In Our Hearts

Hi Everybody..... I hope you're all well !!

It's with sadness that I write today.  Last evening there was a 27 vehicle pile up on our local motorway, just a few hundred metres from our Church.  43 people were injured & several have been killed - as yet, they have not said an exact number....... it's not been a very good night.  B said it all really, it made her feel sick & I agree with her feelings - it was a very bad crash.  As I write, the motorway is block in both directions, while they try & sort the mess out.  From the TV footage, a few minutes ago, it looks really bad & our prayers are with the families of anybody involved.

It was a very wet evening, yesterday & if to prove the fact - the main river wall, in town, collapsed !!  For those of you who know where we live, the wall seems to have just given out - taking some of the road with it !!  I'm not going anywhere near town today - but, it'll be interesting to see what it looks like, on my next visit !!  There are 4 main bridges in town & last night, they had closed all 4 of them !!  That would of been bad enough, as it was - but.... as I wrote yesterday, it was carnival last night & the traffic was chaos !!  Oh well.........

.....Something will tell you, just how mad some of the town are about carnival....... It was posted, on the local papers web site, that the wall & road had gone into the river & how people were being asked to leave their homes, because of the risk of injury.  Some houses are right along the river.....

Anyways - with all of this going on - the first comment on the papers web site was "is the carnival still on" or words to that effect !!  People are being asked to leave their homes & all one person could worry about, was the blooming carnival !!  Sometimes I wonder about this town - well, we live 10 miles out - but.......... you probably get my meaning !!  Onwards........

I thought we were going into town today..... but, as it's turned out, B & ME have gone shopping on their own.  A bit of Mum & Daughter time around the shops of Taunton.  B really hates shopping, but she enjoys going with ME - just to look around & what have you.  How they will get on, with the traffic, I don't know - we usually go down the motorway, but with that closed..... well, it could take them a while I guess !!

So, that leaves my good self & J - our son, home alone.  He is upstairs on his computer & I'm down here typing these words to you.  I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to do today - I'll probably head back to bed in a while as I'm not feeling tooooooo good today !!  I'll see how I get on.......

As for the music - well..... it's a bit quiet today !!  I'm playing the 6 Cd 'Woodstock' set that came out 2 years back, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the festival.  As I type, Arlo Guthrie is playing a few tunes.... I would prefer to listen to his Dad - but..........

...... and talking about Sons of Dads.  I had a DVD come in the post, of Jason Bonham doing a show in New York.  I've met Jason & he is a good sort of bloke, but - like Arlo - he'll always be the Son of ...... rather than a musician in his own right.  It's a shame - because he is a great drummer !!  I've not played the DVD all the way thru' yet - but it's not going anywhere, so I'll give it a watch when I have time !!  I think it's all Led Zeppelin covers..... I'm not sure, until I watch it......

I see my Russian reader had logged on today - so "Hello" to you my friend(s).... I hope your World's are good & you're happy !!  I have no idea which part of Russia you live, but it's great to know you're reading my words !!  The same goes to my readers in America, Europe & everywhere else !!  Thank you for taking the time to log in folks !!  Some of you I know, others - well..... maybe one day !!

As I type, Joan Baez is singing 'Joe Hill' - for some really weird reason, every time I hear this song, I think of my Mum !?!  It's really strange - because I didn't have the best relationship in the World with either of my folks - but, my Mum used to sing along to this..... it's weird what you think of at times !!  Music really is a big part of my life !! Oh well.....

B has just phoned to say they've reach Taunton.  She says the traffic is backed up about 10 miles heading North along the main road !!  It'll only get worse, as tonight there is another carnival in North Petherton... for that one, they close the main road, to let the 'floats' travel thru' the centre - that is going to be fun !!  There is another road people can use - but it's over the hills & at the best of times is pretty bad, let alone a few extra hand full of cars on it !!   It will be crazy & that's for sure !!  I'm glad I'm staying home !!

So - that's about it for today....... I'm going to head back to bed, in the hope that - while I'm asleep - I'll feel a little better, than I do at the moment !!  I could take a hand full of pills & potions, but a good sleep will, I hope, do the trick !!  I've only been up for a few hours.... never mind..... I'll see how things are later !!

For now, until next time......

Bye Bye

1000 +

Well Hello To All Of You - I hope you're all turning nicely on your Worlds !!

It's a Friday morning & I've just had my weekly visit to my local Dr...... he seems relatively happy with my progress - or lack of it !!  No, really - I seem to be doing alright today, so that's good.....

The weather here is certainly getting colder - it's a blue sky & white clouds sort of day outside.  It's cold-ish, but not too bad really.  Tonight is carnival night in town - so there will be thousands of people driving in for that.  I don't think I have ever been and - to be honest - it doesn't really hold any appeal to me !!  But tonight, people from all around the country will be here for it..... mad !!

Onwards.... The family are mostly out.  ME is at Uni placement, B has just gone to the gym (trying to beat tonight's crowds) & J is in bed - so, in his own way, 'out' !!  So that leaves me here typing & listening to music.

The music of the moment is Led Zeppelin's 'Rehearsal' Cd's that came yesterday....... as far as I can hear, it's really good !!  It's just the band going thru' all the tracks they played at the 'O2 Arena' show they did in 2007.  I'm only up to track 5 & it's Ok !!  It lacks the audience tho'....... it's very sterile !!  Never mind !!

Also yesterday, I had 2 versions of 'Dark Side Of The Moon' in the post...... one of them is from 1972 & the the other is from 1974.  The latter is labelled as being from 'Olympia', but is in fact the 'Wembley' show from that year.  It's the same recording that came out officially a few weeks or so back.  Oh well - I thought it was going to be something special, never mind. The guy who sent it meant well & I thank him for the gifts !!  He also sent some DVD's down to me as well - so I'll give them a watch after I finished this......

Something I forgot to mention.... the 'stats' for this old blog of mine, have gone thru' the 1000 mark !!  I thank you all for your time & for reading my words !!  It took over a year to go thru' the 500 & less than 6 months later, to go thru' the 1000 !!  I never thought my words would go so far around the World...... so, my "thank yous" to all of you.........  I would like to know more about you, but......... keep reading anyhooooo !!

I've just changed the music - it's now Iced Earth's 'Live In Athens' blasting out at me.... the Zeppelin thing will get played later.  I wish I had known they (Iced Earth) were playing in Exeter earlier !!  I would of liked to have seen them, just once..... never mind.

So - as for plans for the weekend..... we don't really have any !!  We'll take each day as it comes & see what we do as it happens.  I think we will be at Church this Sunday, but that will be governed by my health on the day.  Apart from that, I don't we'll be doing much else......

I have to go back into hospital sometime this coming week.... for a pre-op thingy.  It's where they take all your details, to make sure the surgery is all lined up right......... it's 2 weeks & 4 days to go folks !!  Yep, I am counting down the days - if the guy cancels again, I will kill him !!  No really, he was sick last time around, so that wasn't his fault - but, I will be slightly upset if it gets called off again !!

My Dr - who I saw this morning - saw the Consultant a few days ago - so, we know he's "alive at least" !!  The Dr's words, not mine, but, all being well - by the end of the month it will be all sorted !!  Time will tell !! 

I'll be glad to get it over with & hopefully on to better things....

Oh well - that's about it for now........ it's just after 10am in the morning & I've got the rest of the day to sort myself out - I'm going to kick back & relax..... more or less, the same as I do, or try to do, everyday !!  Until next time......

Bye Bye