Saturday, 29 December 2012

Another wet day in England.. Ho-hum

Greetings Worlds !!

It's a very wet & horrid here in the South West of England, again !! Some people, not too far from here, have been flooded out, almost continually since before Christmas !!  The rivers are still flowing solid, right to the top & the surrounding, low land - known around here as "the levels" are completely flooded out !!

I don't think anybody has lost their lives, as a direct result of the flooding, but - it hasn't been too much fun !! Oh well - hopefully - there will be some kind of dry spell... maybe for the next 5 years, to kind of dry some the places out !! Onwards !!

Right, it's another Saturday... and the last one of 2012 !!  the World didn't come to an end.. 'The Hobbit' hit the big screen & I - as usual - bought far too many Cd's !! Nothing new about the last bit.... but, I am on a definite "mission" in 2013, not to pick up, as many Cd's as I have in previous years !!  It's my - sort of - New Year's resolution !! One of several, that I have dreamed up, for myself ....

Apart, from not buying so many Cd's... I have also decided - as a follow up, to 'Project 1987' - to put all of the 42 tapes, over to Cd. I've mentioned all of this before... but, I'm aiming to do it, before the end of 2013. I should be able to do it all... tho'... it will take a bit of sorting out... finding out, which tracks will fit on which Cd & everything.  But, being a bit of a sad idiot - I will make it all work !!

I've also made up my mind - if I have this further surgery - I'm going to make sure I don't worry B & (almost) stop breathing... which, if you check - somewhere around March of this year - I did after my last surgery !! Once is enough - so, next time, I will be good & try to make a good recovery... with-out all the almost dying bit !!

Speaking of My Wife & Dearest Friend, she is upstairs - not too happy with one of our cats !!  She had just put clean sheets on the bed & he came in & walked right across the clean stuff, with his muddy feet !! B is not a happy puppy, at the moment.... the cat was last seen, hiding, with his Sister, on J's bed !!

We're the only 2 home today !! ME is working, until 8pm & J has gone away with some of his mates... not 100% sure where he has gone, but he'll probably 'phone, when he wants a lift home from town, or the train station. Anyhoo - with the "kids" out of the house, B is taking the chance, to clean up, around and about !!

Me - well, I'm just kicking back & taking things easy !! I spent a few hours in bed, yesterday... and I've like crap for most of the night... hence, I'm taking it easy !! No biggy.... just not feeling too special...

The music of the moment, is Queensryche's 'Live At The Moore' 2 Cd set, from a few years back.  It's a shame they've gone in different directions - but, from the videos, that are on the net... it seems like a fairly obvious split-up !! I only saw them once - but, I was hooked from their first album !!

Ok - I have my last Led Zeppelin bootleg of the year !! I know, my writing about them, has been a bit patchy - but, this last one... recorded on December 30th  (I'm not sure if I'm posting tomorrow) in Spokane, Washington...  kind of brings it all around, full circle. It was recorded - as I say - on December 30th... but, in 1968... at the very start of the band's career.. so, kind of, back to the start.  The tracks are:

1) The Train kept A Rollin'
2) I Can't Quit You
3) As Long As I Have You
4) Dazed & Confused
5) White Summer
6) How Many More Times
7) Pat's Delight

It's a great concert... mainly, for me, as it is at the start of the band's journey, into mega stars - or what ever, so - for that, I thank the person who actually recorded it..... but, as always, don't buy
bootlegs !!

I'm not sure what I'm going to do, in the new year.... maybe, I'll just list other albums - the ones I'm listening too, as I write !!  We'll have to wait & see on that one....

I've filled up the Ipod, that M gave me... I'm now working on the old one, that I used on my last visit to the hospital.  Why 2 ? Well, I'm thinking - if they do the surgery, I'm going to be there, for more than a day or 2... so, while one is at home, being re-charged, I can use the other one, as a kind of back up !!  It's a plan - it's all I've got - so, I'm sticking too it !!

I think, in the end, I put about 140 albums on the thing.... so, it will last for quite a few days or so.... it's all good !!

Right, my plans for today... well, I'm going to wash up a few dishes & then, more than likely watch abit of TV... plus, play some more albums !! Hey, I'm just making it up, as I go along - in 30 minutes from now, the whole plan might change !!  Anyhow... I best be on my ways.... I'm not going to be doing too much... but, it's going to be fun, not doing it.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Thursday, 27 December 2012

The day after Boxing Day... plus music.. Ho-hum

Hi Everybody !!

How are your bits of the Universe treating you today ?  Are your planets turning nicely on the spot - mine seems to be doing cartwheels around my head at the moment !! Never mind... life is relatively good... so, I'm not going to moan too much about anything... well, not today at least !!

it's a bright & very windy Thursday, here in England... I've not been outside, but... as I look out the rec room window, the seagulls are sort of flying backwards !!  They seem to be hovering in mid air - not their normal method of flying at all !!

Being bright... I can actually see the sea in the distance...I think the tide must be out, at it all looks very dismal over on the beach !!  I miss the days, when I was more able to get about, walking along the beaches, near where we used to live !!  Honestly, we could go from the house, get into the car & be on the beach front, all within 20 minutes !!  "Ah.. those were the days".....

Ok... 'tis the the day after Boxing Day.... so, hopefully the shops - in particular, the supermarkets - have settled down a wee bit now !! Looking at the news, yesterday, you would think the stores were all going to run out of stuff !!  It was only a 2 day holiday... not the end of the World !!

So - as the World didn't come to an end - 2112 & all of that - B has gone into town this afternoon, to pay some bills, put some cash away & try & pick up some odds & ends...... nothing too major, but I think M is coming over for tea tonight, so... I expect she'll get something special in for that !!

ME spent the night at his place (well, his folks place) and they will be home later on...... which just leaves J... who is up in his Hobbit Hole, probably on his computer.  He is going away, for the weekend - so, I think he needs lifts into - & back from - the train station, over the coming days.  Luckily, he is heading East... so, the damaged caused by the weather & floods, will not give him too many problems !!  Time will tell.....

Anyhoo - how has your various Christmas celebrations been ?  I know that some of my readers, well... you don't celebrate Xmas, the same way that we do.... but, I hope you've had a good few days, at least, since my last post !!

As for us, it all went really well.... lots of fun !! ME was working until 2pm, so she didn't get home until after 3..... so, they had Xmas diner a bit later than usual.  Then, she was "Master Of Ceremonies" sorting out all of the pressy's under & around the tree !!  Honestly, she still gets sooooo excited !!  Hopefully she'll never grow out of that......

Everybody had a great selection of gifts... as for myself - i will be watching DVD's for months to come, I had so many !!

I think, knowing I'm having another surgery, in the "New Year" - it seemed like a good idea, to fill my stocking with as many things to watch, as possible - so, I can sit & recover, watching all the various goodies !! Having said, all of that, it's still not a certainty, that the surgery will go ahead - I will know more, on February 7th - when I have to go back to the hospital, for a visit !!

Oh - I forgot... the music of the moment is a 3 Cd set called 'The Best Prog Rock'.  It came out several years ago.... but, as I was looking for stuff to - try - fill M's old Ipod thingy... well, it sort of jumped out, at me & I thought I would give it a bit of a play thru' !! I've just listened to a Yes track... now, it's onto Jethro Tull.  I'm not sure, if I'll put it onto the pod thing.... but, it's been a fun thing to listen to... as I type.

Just sticking with the Ipod... so far, I've put on over 130 albums !!  So - when I eventually go into hospital again, i will have plenty of stuff to listen to !!  It's not all rock stuff... tho', I admit, I have really gone thru' all of the 'live' albums I could find. there are also some weird & wonderful tracks on there as well.....

If all else fails, it's full of stuff, that can be played thru' the kitchen's speaker system !!

Right - my plans, for today.... absolutely none at all !! I'm having a very quiet day - well, if you leave out the music... which, as normal, is blasting away... as per normal,. when I have the place to myself !!

I must away.... I thank you all for logging in & reading my words... especially my Russian reader, who has been enjoying him - or herself - reading my various things today !!  You can always leave a comment... it would be great to hear from you.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Monday, 24 December 2012

Happy Christmas

Greetings Worlds !!

It's about 5pm, here in old England.... it's getting dark, outside, but - here in the house, the Christmas tree lights are on.. the baking is making the house smell of mince pies & life, for the best part - is good !!

I'm not going to write too much tonight... but....

I wish you all a very "Happy Christmas" and all the best for 2013.........

Take care... until next time..

Bye Bye

Sunday, 23 December 2012

I'm looking forward to the new one.........

Hi everybody....

'tis a Sunday... and being The Lords day - I normally stay away from the computer.  But, as it's been a very strange day - I decided to write a post.  If The Lord feels fit to strike me down, for doing this - well.... I'm not going to make it too hard a target for him !! I will be sat in the chair, for most of the rest of the evening.... so, come & get me Lord !!

Right.... I've been really poorly, since early this morning.... I couldn't get to sleep & the pain killers were not really working...... I was even awake, to see ME off to work. - that rarely happens !!  Anyhoo - long story, made short - it's about 5pm & I've just got out of bed !!  Life has not been sooooo good today !!

However, I do have a Led Zeppelin concert to write about... It was recorded at the same place, as the night before - Alexandra Palace - the tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Rock & Roll
  2) Over The Hills & Far Away
  3) Black Dog
  4) Misty Mountain Hop
  5) Since I've Been Loving You
  6) Dancing Days
  7) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
  8) The Song Remains The Same
  9) The Rain Song
10) Stairway To Heaven

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused
2) Whole Lotta Love
3) Heartbreaker

So - that was the last show of 1972..... not the greatest concert I've every heard by the band... but, they all add to the collection !!  Never mind....it had been a long year & the 1973 tours, some of which I've covered in this old Blog of mine...... well, they were kind of special !!

As always - don't buy bootlegs..... I've got one more show to write about.... but, not today.

Ok - being a Sunday.. we normally try & go to Church...... but... As we no longer live in the Taunton Church area (we're we've lived for all of our time, as members of The Church) and, as we've not been told where we are suppose to go now - in our so called "new" area..... well, sod it all, I say !!

Someone, in The Church, has arbitrarily decided that - we no longer should go to our Taunton Church.... so, I guess, we're saying.... you've lost us - as we're not interested in going to the new area !!  Oh well....

We now have our Christmas tree up, in a different place this year.  It's normally behind, where I'm sitting at the moment - but, this year, we've decided to put it up, in front of the main window, overlooking the outside World !!  It's only a small one - but, it fits quite nicely........ very smart & - I expect - ME will love it, when she gets home !!

Right, I better be on my ways....... December 23rd.... heck, almost the end of another year !!  I'm looking forward to the new one - not so much the pain, but just the thought, that.... as these past few days have been sooooo crap, things have got to get better !!

Thank you for logging in.... until next time....

Bye Bye

Saturday, 22 December 2012

A cold day & a bit of space to think...

Greetings Worlds.... from a wet & not so nice England !!

How has the World been treating you, this last 24 hours ?  B & I have had a, not so good, kind of a time... more of that later.... but, first the family !!

 J is here with me.... looking after me, so to speak, incase I get into any trouble.  ME has spent the night, over at M's house..... she was sooooo very tired, when she left here, last night.  After working all of the previous night, she tried to stay awake all of yesterday..... hence, by the time she left here, she was well tired !!

That just leaves B.... she has gone into the gym..... to judge a cake making competition !!  I kid you not... as she often takes cakes, into the gym.. they asked her to judge the competition !!  So - after a massive run around this morning, finding this & that, she shot off..... hopefully she has got there in time !!

Talking of My Wife & Dearest Friend... she has just 'phoned, to say she got there in time... I'm glad to say !!

It's been a difficult 24 hours, for the pair of us...... we have made our first - small - break from The Church. To give us time, to consider our future, within The Church, we have asked the Missionary Elders, to give us time, to think about what has happened.... with the area change & how it has altered our life. In itself, it's not a big thing - but, the events of the last few weeks - which I've not written about, too much - have all come to a head & we need time to consider what we want to do.  Oh well.... life will go on..... just, maybe, not in the way people wanted it to !!

Ok - onto music... which, at the moment, is the 'new' version of Rick Wakeman's 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth'.  I've had it, for a few days now - but, this is the first time I've had chance to play it all the way thru'.... it's pretty good... tho' - I would of preferred a 'live' version !!  Maybe next time !!

I also have a Zeppelin concert, from December 22nd 1972.  It's a great show, recorded at the old & cold Alexandra Palace in London.... even on a warm day, this old hall was cold !!  What it was like, at the end of December, I've no idea !!  Anyhoo... the tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Rock & Roll
  2) Over The Hills & Far Away
  3) Black Dog
  4) Misty Mountain Hop
  5) Since I've Been Loving You
  6) Dancing Days
  7) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
  8) The Song Remains The Same
  9) The rain Song
10) Stairway To Heaven

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused
2)  Whole Lotta Love
3) Immigrant Song
4) Heartbreaker
5) Organ Solo
6) Thank You

It's not the best recording in the World... but, it's a good one to have in the collection !!  As always, don't buy bootlegs... more another time !!

As I have said before... I've been putting albums, onto an Ipod, that M was kind enough to give to me.  Well, all of that came to a grinding halt, last night.... for some reason, it won't let me put anything else on it !!  J has checked it & he says there is still plenty of room on the things memory... so, I'm a bit stuck on that.  However, tonight, M is coming over for supper..... so, hopefully he will be able to help me out & sort out what the problem is !!  I've enjoyed putting stuff onto the thing... it's a shame it has stopped..... never mind, M might be able to sort it out for me !!

Right, my plans for today..... well, I'm not feeling 100%... so, after I've checked my e-mails, I'm heading back to bed, for a few hours !!  If nothing else, it will be warmer in there... it's really cold at the moment !!

Anyhoo... that sounds like a plan... so, as always, I thank you for taking the time, to read my words.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Friday, 21 December 2012

Neil Young gets stuck & Green Day !!

Hi again Worlds.....

How are you all doing this fine - for once dry - Friday ?!  I'm doing Ok, this end... As mentioned, it's a bright, sunny day.  Out in the distance, the sea is looking quite blue... considering the rain, we've been having, today is a nice change !!  Mind you - tomorrows forecast is pretty bad !!  Never mind...

As I type... ME is sat watching a Green Day video.  I was putting stuff, onto this Ipod thingy & she decided to watch the DVD of the Cd.... I was never too keen on the visual stuff.... mainly as it has lots of talking, between the tracks... like a documentary.  I prefer 'concert' DVD's... just music & the band(s) on stage, doing what they do !!

As for the rest of the family.... J is upstairs, in his 'Hobbit Hole' & B is out, in town, getting a few last things for the Christmas meal & stuff. For us, it's going to be a small Christmas.... nothing like the mass spectaculars we've had in the past !!

There will be gifts - but, only a few this year..... none of the big piles of stuff, that has been here in the past !! We've decided that it's just not going to be a big pressy year.... mainly as, I've been poorly over that last few weeks & we needed to cut back..  Life will go on & it's going to be a very special day - our Lord's birthday !!

We will continue to have the Lord in our hearts & will always have that, that memory, to guide us, which ever way we go in the near future.

What am going on about ?!  Well, B & I have decided, that we are part of The Church... well, we are, but - it's obvious that The Church is going in a way, that we both are unhappy with & because of that.... well, we won't be attending Church, over the Christmas, nor in the for see able future !!

We love the Church & The Lord will always be with us..... but, we have made a personal choice, to stay away from the actual services. Having been told, that we are not part of the Taunton area & being told, that we are now part of another area.... well, it sucks, it's - for us - not going to happen !!

With all of that, the stuff I wrote yesterday, I'm guessing we can really just forget about to The Temple - it stinks, but.... if that's the way The Church is heading... it won't be having us on board..... life will go on !!

Back to music.... In front of me, are stacks of Cd's.... ready to put onto the Ipod thingy.  I still have  loads of room, I'm just about half way thru' the thing, so... there is sooooo much left on the thing !!  As I wrote yesterday, I'm putting mostly 'live' recordings on it, but I'm also putting some studio stuff.... but, not much !!

I did run into a problem earlier.... to explain !!  I put in a Neil Young album.  Unfortunately, I didn't fit it in right & when I tried to open my disc drive, the Cd was stuck inside !!  Never mind - J came down, with a bunch of tools - not a hammer - and sorted it out for me..... the Cd was kind of messed up, but... if it doesn't play properly, I'll just buy another copy of it !!

Ok - my plans for today.... well, apart from putting some more Cd's on the Ipod, I don't have anything planned at all. It's sad existence, but... it's what I've got !!

No really, I'm still struggling with this neck collar thing & the whole problem, of having the blooming implant removed !! I had it fitted for about 9 months & it really worked well - now, it's been removed... well, I'm back to living without it being there !!  Bummer !!

Ok - I really need to be on my way.... I thank you all for logging in & reading my words.... I really appreciate the time you take & it has been a real blast, knowing my words are being read around these Worlds of ours.

For now, I'm away..... until next time...

Bye Bye

Thursday, 20 December 2012

The Church. & The Parting Of The Ways ?

Well, "Hello" Worlds !!

I hope you are doing well & whatever planet you might be on, is turning nicely & keeping you rooted to the spot !!  Here, in planet England - South West corner of - it's raining really badly & I've just had first hand knowledge of this fact, mainly as I've been down to the village for a haircut !!  Yep - it's that time of the year again !!

No - really... it's not that bad !! True, it is raining, but... it's not my first haircut of the year !!  It'll probably be my last one, but... it's not my first !!  In the "old days" - I would have really long hair, the whole 'pony tail' thing going on... but, when it became clear, that I was going to be joining The Church - I decided to have it cut off..... not too bad a move on my part really... it, at least, cut back on
shampoo !!

I will talk more, about The Church, in a while....

As for the family...... ME is in bed, after working all last night.  She was not in the best of moods, when she came home this morning, so - hopefully - a few hours sleep might ease her back a bit, into day to day living !!  Tho' - she is working again, tonight.... so..... To aid her, in trying to sleep, I'm listening to music, thru' my headphones.... really loud !!

Anyhoo - that's ME.  B has gone out, to visit her Mum's grave, her Aunt G, & her Dad - if he's home - and pick up some shopping on her way home.  She did ask me, if I wanted to go, but - unless she had really wanted me to go with her.. I was happy to just stay home & relax a bit.

My old neck is still hurting like mad.... and trying to use the computer, with this collar thing on... well, it's not too easy !!  I have the seat, at it's lowest possible setting... but, it's still hard, trying to use the keyboard.... hang on....... I have just removed the darn thing.  I'll put it back on, later... but, for now I'll cheat a bit !!

That just leaves J - who is up in his room.... As for the cats, I suspect they are all up in the bedrooms, some place warm !!  I don't blame them really.... in this weather - given the choice, between being out in the rain, or warm, asleep on a bed - I know which one I would go for !!

Back to the headphones... I'm playing a Grateful Dead concert, from Oregon in 1993.  I'm going to put it onto this Ipod thingy, that M gave me a few days ago.  I've been putting loads of albums, onto the thing & it's still not half full yet !!  I've been sticking to live stuff, mainly... but I've put some weird & wonderful things on it & that's for sure.

I also have a Zeppelin concert from today.  It was recorded on December 20th 1972, in Brighton & - even tho' it's not a complete concert, it's still a great Cd.  The tracks are:

1) Black Dog
2) Misty Mountain Hop
3) Since I've Been Loving You
4) Whole Lotta Love
5) Heartbreaker

It's a really good concert... a clear recording & full of great music !!  I've a few more concerts, to cover, before the end of the year... but... with only 10 concert dates to cover - well, it's all coming to an end, I'm sorry to say !!

But, as always, don't buy bootlegs.... buy all of the official stuff instead !!  More another day......

Right - back to today's moan, about The Church.... if ever I stop moaning about The Church, well - I'll probably be dead !!  Anyways - today's moan.....

I had suspected, for quite a while, that - despite going all thru' the various lessons of preparation - we would not be going to The Temple.  I knew this, 4 years ago - and, even tho' things (the lessons) had started again, deep down, I guessed we wouldn't be going.

Last night, the guy who has been giving us lessons, came around.... but, didn't even try to teach us !!  This guy, well, he's a really nice guy.... but, last night... well, we guessed something was happening & it wasn't going to be anything to do with Temple prep.......

Instead, he told us..... told us, being the right term.... that we were going to have to attend services, at a different place... away from our Church, in Taunton.  We asked why... and it turns out, that we (B & I) fall into a different area now - hence, we have to go to to this new place.

We were not asked, if we were happy to do this, or if we even wanted to do this.... it was just a matter of fact, that we are no longer a part of the Taunton Church area !!

After being members of The Church, in Taunton, these past 5 & a bit years,...... well, it felt like a kick in the balls, with a covering of horse shit piled on top, for good measure !!  B & I are really pissed off about this.... I - deep down - feel like this is the final straw, the parting of the ways....... it really has hurt us and it stinks !!
But - enough of all of this...... The Lord is in my heart.... but, I'm sorry to say, The Church, at this moment is very, very far from my Heaven on Earth.  Onwards....

Right, my plans for today.....

I'm going to play some music & put a few more Cd's onto the Ipod thingy.  I know, by the time I go back, into hospital, I will have loads of 'new' stuff.... but, I will have room for that & I can sort that out later !!  Every time I look at the Cd shelves, I find something new to put on.... so, I won't be short of stuff to listen to !!

So - for now, I will be on my ways....... As always, I thank you for logging I & reading my words.... I thank you all for your time.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

MP3's and Neil Young... Ho-hum

Greetings Worlds !!

Well, how is your bit of the Internet Universe treating you today ?  I hope your sky is blue & everyone is treating you well ...... I'm doing Ok, this end...... As I type, the sky is full of puffy white clouds & in the distance, the sea is blue, with the Sun glinting off of it !!

I was going to write yesterday..... but, everything I was going to write about, well...... it was so rubbish, to write about my life, while - in America - people were coming to terms with the loss of their child !!

Why someone would - or even think about killing those children, is sooooo far beyond my understanding, I cannot imagine how or why it happened !!  I know America has different gun laws, compared to England - but, surely something could be done to help prevent this sort of mass killing ?!

It is with all the prayers I can muster & all the thoughts of "sorry" that I will leave this subject.... my family & the music in my life, seems a stupid thing to write about.... but, that's all I have.... so..... I will continue.

It is a Tuesday... which means, it's TV paper & chocolate day, for me at least.  B has gone into town, to pick up some shopping + take in a gym class.  She hasn't been to the gym, for probably over 3 weeks now... mainly as I was in hospital & she didn't have the time !!  So - her gym class today will be interesting, as - by her own admittance - she doesn't really feel up to going !!

But, as she also said - once she gets back to it - it will probably be Ok !!  I'm the same - not with gym classes... but, after I've been away from something, for so long, I don't really feel like going !!  But - it'll sort itself out !!

Tomorrow, I have another visit to the 'clinic' I started about 2 or 3 months ago..... maybe not quite that long, but... if you've read my words before, you will know what I'm on about !!

My last visit was meant to be on December 5th.... but, with my hospital stay, that all fell by the wayside !!  B told the lady, who I see, why I wasn't able to make it & it seems that she was very understanding about the whole thing & made the appointment for tomorrow.

After not seeing her for several weeks now, as I wrote above, it will be "hard" to get into my visits again - but, once I'm there, it will be fine - I'm sure !!  Time will tell, if I will be allowed to see her, for the whole 12 visits, that were booked.... I will find out tomorrow,
I guess !!

I will no doubt write about it, another time......

Back to "the now".....  As mentioned, B has gone into town, J is upstairs & as far as I know, so is ME.  She worked an all night shift, at the place she works & - I think - she has gone to bed, to try & catch up on her lack of sleep !!

I really don't know for sure, but - when I woke up, her door was shut, sooooo I'm guessing she is behind it, in bed, getting some well earned sleep !!  I'm keeping the music down, to a quiet (for me) volume.. just incase I disturb her !!

The music of the moment, is Neil Young's 'Psychedelic Pill' album..... Cd 1, track 1 'Drifting Back'... a great track to start the album off with... all 20+ minutes of it !!

I actually like the various long tracks, that are on this album & I'm thinking about making a Cd, just using those long tracks, for my own use !! Don't get me wrong, I like the whole album - but, as they stand out from the rest, a Cd of just the long tracks.... well, sound good to me !!

I don't have any Zeppelin concerts, from today - but, as I didn't write anything, yesterday, I'm going to use a concert from December 17th 1972.  as the previous night, it was recorded in Birmingham & the tracks are:

1) Misty Mountain Hop
2) Since I've Been Loving You
3) Dancing Days
4) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
5) The Song Remains The Same
6) The Rain Song
7) Dazed & Confused

It's only a small part of the concert... but, the guy - who recorded it - did a great job, given it was only on one C90 cassette tape !! I actually took his tape & transferred it over to Cd... many moons
ago !!  As with the first night, I really like this concert... lots of fun !! As always, don't buy bootlegs... buy the official stuff instead !!  More another day.... tho', we're running out of days now.... only 2 weeks to the new year !!  Wow !!

If you read my words, from a day or two ago... B & I went into Curry's, in town & tried to look at MP3 players.  I was looking ahead, to my next surgery - in May (or whenever it happens) and guessing I would be laid up, for a while, I wanted to look at MP3's - with a thought of buying one, before I go back in...

Anyhoo - while we were in the shop, we bumped into ME's boyfriend, M & asked him about his views on them, which ones were best & so on & so on.... As it turned out - they couldn't find the keys to the , so we didn't get to look at them, at all......

.....Well, I had a really nice surprise... when M came over here, he brought with him, an "old" MP3 that he doesn't use any more !!  I couldn't believe it, or thank him enough, for such a brilliant gift - it's fantastic & I'm well happy with it !!  It really is a fantastic gift.... he really is a fantastic lad..... I love the guy as much as I love my own kids !!  A fantastic gift.... !!  As we've told him before - he is a member of our family & we love him............ a great pressy !!

Now, I have to learn how to put stuff onto it !!  I tried last night & - I thought - I had put Therion & Zeppelin Cd's on the thing..... however, when I looked, I only had one Zeppelin Cd & the rest were missing !!  Never mind - I'll work it out.... though, as a admitted Luddite, it will take me a while to get the hang of it !!

Ok - what else.... well, as far as music goes.... I'm not buying anything, at the moment....2 reasons, (A) it's Christmas & (B) after Christmas, B is buying me the complete Allman Brothers 2012 box
set !!  I cannot tell you, just how much I'm looking forward to that !!

To have one box set by the band - the '2011 Beacon Box'... which features all of there concerts from the Beacon Theatre, that year... well, just the thought of having all of their 2012 concerts, is totally mind blowing !!  It won't get here for a few months, as B isn't ordering it until January sometime + it will take a while to get here, in the post !!  Ain't life grand ?!

Well - for me, at this moment it is....... for others, not so good....

Right my plans for today...... well, I think I'll play around with this mp3 thingy, try to get some more stuff on it.... sort of have a play with it !!  I know, I would be better waiting, until I actually have a date to go into hospital, but - I need to work out how to use it, before then..... even if, nearer the time, I put other things on it !!

If all goes to pot & the Consultant decides the surgery is too risky, and decides not to go ahead with it... well, I can still listen to the music, just not flat on my back in a hospital !!

Anyhoo - for now, I will be on my ways.... my thanks to you all for logging in & reading my words, I thank you for your time..... until next time...

Bye Bye

Sunday, 16 December 2012

Why ?

Greetings...

I've just found out, about the shootings that happened yesterday, in Newtown..... it puts life sharply into focus & all in all.... well, it makes my troubles seem so unimportant.

Life will go on - but, our thoughts & prayers go out to all of you involved..

Bye Bye

Saturday, 15 December 2012

MP3's & the X Factor... Why !! Ho-hum....

Greetings Worlds !!

I hope you are doing well, in your part of the Universe ?!  I've had a pretty good day... well, so far at least !!

B took me into town earlier, to do a bit of shopping & a look around 'Curry's'....... Speaking of My Wife & Dearest Friend.... she is sat a few feet away from me, along side ME.  For some reason, they are watching some of the auditions that were shown on 'The X Factor'..... Why ?!  I don't know.. there has to be a reason for it, I guess !!  Oh well.....

As for J.... the last member of the family.. he is upstairs, probably in his room.  He came out earlier, for his first supper of the evening - I'm sure he will be out & down here a few times more, before he finally goes to sleep !!  Never mind.......

Ooopps !!  I forgot the cats.... one of which is sat on the floor, beside me.... hoping, I guess, that I will take pity on him & give him some 'cat treats' !!  He is now, on his back, with paws in the air !!  We call it his "otter position"...... he seems to spend a lot of his time like
that !!

As for the 2 "babies"...... I'm not 100% sure where they are - I guess they are up on one of the beds.... their usual place to sleep.... for most of the days !!  I don't mind - except, when it's the middle of the night & they get cold.... one of them tries his best, to actually get into bed, under the sheets with us !!  They know where the best place to be is !!

Oh well..... back to my day & the trip into town.

I wanted to go & check out MP3 players.  I know I'm a bit of a Luddite and avoid most 'modern' stuff - as I've said before, I don't even have a mobile phone !! But - I wanted to look at them for one reason & one reason only.....

..... If I go back, into hospital next year, to have my back surgery..... well, I'm guessing I'm going to be stuck there for a while.  I'm working on the assumption, that - as they are going to mess around with my spine - well, I'm going to need some music, to keep me going thru' it all !!

So - today, I went looking for a new MP3 (we have old ones - that are a little bit past their best) - hopefully with a big memory, or whatever it's called, to hold as many Cd's as I can !!

The problem was - we went into Curry's & saw a selection of them.... but, believe it or not - when I asked to look at them, nobody had the key, to unlock the display case !!  How bad is that ?!  Oh well - it was their loss - tho' I wasn't going to buy one today, but... I really would of liked to have had a look at them, close up - rather than thru' a glass case !!

M - ME's boyfriend was also in the shop.. with one of his friends & he was going to help me, with all the stuff that - quite honestly - I don't really understand !!  Never mind - Curry's didn't help themselves & to be honest, it was their loss, not mine !!

But - all was not a total loss.... It seems that the MP3 player, that I had in the hospital with me, these past weeks, has a bigger memory than I thought !!  I had 409 tracks on the thing (mostly stuff that B had put on) & I thought it was full.... but, it turns out it was hardly half full !!  So - I'm going to play around with the thing & see how it goes !!  Wish me luck !!

Just staying with music... I have a Zeppelin concert, that was recorded on December 16th 1972 in Birmingham... Ok, I know that's tomorrow - but, as I try not to use the computer on Sunday's - I thought I would list it today !! So the tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Introduction
  2) Rock & Roll
  3) Over The Hills & Far Away
  4) Black Dog
  5) Misty Mountain Hop
  6) Since I've Been Loving You
  7) Dancing Days
  8) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
  9) The Song Remains The Same
10) The Rain Song

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused
2) Stairway To Heaven
3) Whole Lotta Love
4) Heartbreaker

I really love this concert.... it gets played over & over, here in the homestead !!  It is a great recording + it has everything a Zeppelin bootleg needs, for me to enjoy it !!  Atmosphere, great tracks, good musicianship & on & on.... in every way I can think of - it's just brilliant !!

But - having said all of that... don't buy bootlegs, buy the official recordings instead !!  I'm not just talking about Led Zeppelin.... any group that is out there - buy their official stuff, not the bootlegs !!  More another time !!

Right, onwards.....

I didn't realise it, until I logged in today.... that my last post, was my 500th !!  How crazy is that !!  When I started this blog, I never thought it would be still going, after all this time !!  I thank you all, for taking the time to log in & read my words !!

As for my plans, for the rest of the weekend...... well, I'm not really sure.....  It's Sunday, tomorrow & - at the moment - I'm not sure if we're going to Church or not.  I would like to go - altho' we'll have to wait & see how I am in the morning.  By being in the hospital, for the last couple of weekends... well. we'll see how I am, I guess.......

I know I moan about the congregation & how they are, how they treat us & others.  But - I'm a little pi**ed off with them again.

To explain - B took me into the hospital & everybody (from Church) knew I was there..... but - and this is the bit that gets me - only 2 people called B, while I was in the hospital & one of them, only called, because she needed a lift to a carol service, for herself & - as it turned out - 3 kids !!

That last bit really upset B !!  She had agreed to give the lady a lift, with one kid...... before I went into the hospital  - but, when she got to her house, there were 2 kids waiting & the lady wanted B to go into town & pick up a third one !!  As B said, to me.... if J or ME had been in the car - on there ways in to see me - well, there wouldn't of been enough room !!  Honestly - talk about taking the p**s !!

Considering the situation... I would of thought that she (the lady) would of found another way to the carol service & then B could of just come to visit me (in the hospital) with-out the hassle of picking people up & giving them lifts in the car !!

Never mind.... it is interesting tho' - nobody has called since.... so, I guess, they don't need any more lifts !!  At life grand ?!

If we go to Church, in the morning... we will be able to meet the new Missionary Sister.  I'm sure I mentioned before, that the Elders came around last night & we met the new Missionary Elder.... he is really nice - but, I'm not sure how he took us & our little bit of the
Universe !!

Ok - that's enough for tonight !!  I really must be away..... 'tis getting late & I need to get my beauty sleep !! So, I thank you for taking the time, to log in & read my words...... here's to the next 500 ... until next time

Bye Bye

Friday, 14 December 2012

Rush, more Rush.... and even more Rush !!

Hi Everybody !!

It's a wet & cold day, here in England...... I must admit, I've not been out of the house at all - but, the rain is just pelting down, so.... I'm probably in the right place !!

The music of the moment is another Rush concert.... and as I type, they are playing a version of the Rolling Stones 'Paint It Black'.... not too bad at all !!  Now, they've gone into 'The Spirit Of Radio'... no, not too bad at all !!

I'm having a bit of a Rush day.... playing loads of their old concerts.... I've enjoyed every minute of it !!  But, as I say, I've been playing the Cd's for most of the day, sooooo it's nearly time to give the amp a rest !!

As for the family..... B is behind me, making some icing stuff, for the Christmas cake, J is upstairs - not sure what it is, that he is doing - and ME is out at work.  She didn't start until 2pm, so she had a chance of some extra sleep this morning !!  Bless her - she travels so very far, but.... that's what she wants to do & as long as she is happy, I don't mind !!  I do worry about her, out on the roads.... but........... !!

I mentioned a while back, that - along with J - I had bought a new disc drive. for my computer.  Well, I tried earlier to use it, to copy a DVD that I had done, from the old videos.  Well, I failed miserably !!  There is something, actually on the disc, but what it is, I've no idea !!  I'll settle for just making Cd's of tapes - rather than trying to do DVD's !! Oh well.......

I've turned the music off now & the news is on the TV.  They are talking about how many immigrants have come into the country & how "we" (Joe Public) are not helping the immigrants settle into our communities.  As a member of 'Joe Public' - you know, the average idiot on the streets - I take a different view on it.

In my limited experience, a lot of our immigrant families... the ones in our little area of the World..... tend to gather together, not really wanting to integrate into the rest of the 'Joe Public' - but quite happy to stay as they are !!

Oh well..... that's going to get me into trouble, with the 'Thought Police'.  For the record... I actually like the people who have moved here from Eastern Europe.  The few I have come into contact with, have been very polite & friendly !!  I know I'm not in the majority, but.... I can only say what I have personally found !!  Oh well.........

Right... onto other things !!

B & I have been talking, a little, about the proposed surgery on my back, which should happen, about May, next year.  We, I think, have accepted it will be a very dangerous surgery.... but, we have also agreed - I think - that it will make such a difference to our lives, beyond anything we can put down in a blog !!

We also know, that given the difficultly of the surgery, it might not happen.... if the Consultant decides it's not worth the risk !!  Time will tell, but.... if they decide not to carry out the whole thing, well, I've lost nothing - other than a bit of hope !!  I will let you know how things go !!

As for now, I must be on my ways...... I thank you all for logging in today & over the last couple of years !!  I know I've not written too much over this past 2 months, but... well, I thank you are for reading my words !!  So - I will away.... until next time....

Bye Bye

Thursday, 13 December 2012

I need my beauty sleep + music !! Ho-hum...

Well "Hello" !!

How is your bit of the Universe treating you today ?  Here, in the wild South West of England, it's very cold - but, thankfully, it's also very dry !!  I hate it when it's wet, as well as cold...... it seems to eat it's way into the bones, when that happens !!  Never mind.....

As I type, B is sat reading a magazine, a few feet away to my left... J is upstairs & ME is out at work.  As far as I know, she is doing 2 half days, both afternoons... so, she is getting to a stay in bed, a bit longer, each morning !!

We - B & I - went into town this afternoon..... mainly to put some cash into the bank.... but, as we had the chance, we went into a local second hand record store.  It's only a little place, but is full up of various things.... from Lp's to Cd's & DVD's & much to my surprise, even cassettes !!  Too much for my brain to take in, especially in one visit !!

But - I came home, with a load of various cheap goodies !!  3 Lp's & 4 Cd's...... they are:

The Clash 'London Calling'
The Beatles '1'
Leonard Cohen 'More Best Of'
Santana  'The very Best'

.....plus, on Lp

Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'
Barclay James Harvest 'Live'oNils Lofgren 'Night After Night'

Ok - I i know.. I've said it before, I'm not a Beatles fan... but, the price was right & it does have a few "good" tracks on it.... and as for the 3 live Lp's... well, again, the price was right & they are all 2 Lp sets !!  It can't be bad really !!

I've been meaning to go into the shop, for ages... but, just kept forgetting about it !!  never mind -I'll put the Lp's over to Cd at some point & go from there !!

Oh - I forgot... the music of the moment is Rush & one of their 1992 concerts.... it's all good !!

I've just taken a break, there was a programme on TV (the other night) about Patrick Moore - the brilliantly astronomer who died while I was in the hospital..... he was really over the top, but very very interesting !!

Many Moons ago, we went into Taunton... it was late night Christmas shopping, or something like that... Anyhoo, I didn't know it, at the time, but PM was doing a book signing at Smiths, so I took J into the shop to try & see him.  Unfortunately, we were too late to actually get him to sign a book, as he was packing up, for the evening - but, as we stood there, a few feet from him, he must of seen J & he beckoned him over....

J was quite small, but PM bent over & shook his hand & spoke with him for a few minutes... he was very nice - and J & I were just taking about it..... we will always remember that night !!

Going back, even further, I met Arthur C Clarke in Taunton (again) and had a long conversation with him, about his books & so on.... he was very good & signed a book for a friend of mine, in America, who - when I sent it out to her - made a few (nasty) comments about how I had forged the autograph !!

Honestly.... you do something nice for someone & they thro' it back in your face !! Oh well.......

I had to make a 'phone call earlier.... with me being in the hospital, I forgot to make a payment in the bank !! So, after I had a letter in the post (this morning) I 'phoned up, made my apologize and paid last months payment & this month's !!  Oh well - with everything that has happened, it was just a small glitch !!

While I'm thinking about my hospital stay..... I can't help thinking about an older guy, who was in the next bay, from me.  he was in his 90's & I helped him, as much as I could.... getting him fresh water & loaning him my razor & stuff, bless him... I hope he gets on Ok !!

I also made another guy cry....... no, I wasn't being mean.... I had a book, about trains in this region, way before 1947.  Anyhoo - I saw him reading it, as I had it brought in, for another patient to look at. So, as he was leaving - being transferred to another hospital, nearer his home - I slipped the book into his hands, as a "goodbye" pressy..... that's when he cried, out of gratitude - I hope !!

Never mind..... it is always good to make someone happy !!  I'll tell you about another guy, another time.... I'm getting to the point where I need to sign out for tonight .... I need my beauty sleep !!

So, for now, I will away... thank you all for logging in & reading my words... until next time..

Bye Bye

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Life Is Good........

Well "Hi" Everybody !!

Have you missed me ? No !! Well, I could get a complex over that.... but, you all have your lives to live... so, missing me comes a really long way down on the "totem pole of life" !!  As long as you are are doing well & your part of the Universe is treating you well - who am I to worry about being missed !!

Ok - it's been two weeks since I last had the chance to post anything.... and it's been interesting, tho' - not exactly a lot of fun, for your's truly !!  But first - the important thing.... the family !!

As I type, ME - our Daughter - is at work.... I'm out of step with what she is doing at the moment, so... I'm guessing she will be home a bit later tonight.  J - our Son - is upstairs, preparing for a meeting he has, in town, this afternoon.  That just leaves B - My Wife & Dearest Friend - who also upstairs, doing a bit of housework.... mainly the bedroom area, I think.........

As for the music... it's Rush & their concert from the Maple Leaf Gardens.... somewhere around 1986.  If any Rush fans are reading this, if you have an exact date for this show, can you let me know ?  It's the same show that their 'Grace Under Pressure' video/DVD was filmed at.  I made a copy of the s/t (from the video) then the DVD came out & that included the s/t anyways....

I don't think I have any Zeppelin concerts, from today.... but.... as I wasn't able to write about it, at the time, I want to list one I missed. I should of covered 10 days ago - but, anyhoo......

So, from December 2nd 1971, recorded at the brilliantly named "Starkers, Royal Ballroom"  Bournemouth. The tracks are:

CD 1

1) Immigrant Song
2) Heartbreaker
3) Black Dog
4) Since I've Been Loving You
5) Stairway To Heaven
6) Going To California
7) That's The Way
8) Tangerine
9) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused
2) What Is & What Should Never Be
3) Rock & Roll

CD 3

1) Whole Lotta Love
2) Communication Breakdown
3) Weekend
4) It'll Be Me

I was really looking forward to writing all about this show..... but, now.... I can't really remember why !!  Never mind - it's a brilliant show & worth having in the collection, if for no other reason than the 2 encores !!  As always - don't buy bootlegs.... more another time time.......

I've just realised..... it's 12-12-12 today !!  Not quite as good as last centuries 7-7-77 (my birthday) but, it's a good one anyways !!  Isn't the World meant to come to an end this year ?  I seem to remember there was something about it happening - all to do with the Mayan calendar or something.......... Oh well - life goes on & if the World does come to an end..... well, it's been fun !!

Right.... where have I been for the last two weeks ?!  Well, I'll try & explain.......

The last time I wrote, it was the day after ME's graduation..... I was sooooo happy, to see her get her moment & how proud I felt, to be with her on that special day !!  Well, that was a Tuesday.... on the Wednesday (the next day) I woke up & heck was I feeling bad !!

In 1973, I broke my back.... just the bones, not the spinal cord.  Anyhoo - over the past year, I guess, I have been having really nasty neck pains. I went to the Dr about it & he didn't really do too much..... putting it down to old age & stuff.  About a month ago.... I went back & he sent me for x-rays.... I wrote about this, in an earlier post or two !!  Well - the x-rays, so my Dr said, were normal & there wasn't anything to do with it - other than take more pain killers, which I take anyhoo..... for the disease thingy I "suffer" from.

Then - on the Wednesday - I woke up & my neck was completely locked, looking down at the ground !!  Not only was it very painful, I didn't have any motor functions in my muscles, to be able to move the darn thing, if I wanted to !!  All very weird !!

At about 11am, after taking morphing & various things.... the pain got so bad, that B took me down to the local surgery & I (luckily) saw a different Dr.... who, after an examination, phoned the hospital, in Taunton, and told them to expect me.

Long story, made short,..... that's where I've been, since then...... a whole two weeks later !!  I was put under a lovely Consultant, who - after surgery, to remove my "bionic" implant - sent me for an MRI and various other test...... looked after me really well !!

The worst part, the most painful (I guess) was having over a week of traction..... I've decided, every Dr should have at least 2 hours of this, as part of their training - just to show them just how painful & uncomfortable it is !!

But there is a "silver cloud" at the end of this rainbow of a story !!

As mentioned before - I broke my back, in 1973, and this has left me with a curved spine..... the place were I broke most of my vertebrae.  Well, midway thru' my stay, I had a CT ( Cat) scan and the consultant came to see me about it, to tell me things looked good.

I pointed out, I had never seen an x-ray of my back curvature.... and, to my amazement, he got me out of bed and pushed me, in my wheel chair, down to the computer room area & showed me the damaged I had done, all those years ago !!

Then, things went very quiet...... he was playing with the computer & after a few moments, he said something - I thought - I would never hear. "I can fix this" !!  I couldn't believe my ears.... after 39 and a half years of being stooped over, this man said he could take the curve out & basically straighten me, to a sort of upright position !!

So - that's where I am, at this moment......... I'm home for Christmas, and in the New Year, about May or June time, I'm going back into hospital, to have probably the most dangerous surgery of my life..... but, one I never thought I would get the chance to have !!

I keep saying, "I've finished with the hospital for another year"..... but, this time around, well.... I have, probably, the chance of a surgery I never expected..... and, if it works, something that will changed our lives so utterly completely, I can't put it all into words !!

So - that's about it for now..... after 2 weeks, in hospital, I'm kind of just getting my "house legs" back under me & I'm a little knackered, so, for now, I will away.  I've lots more to tell you about, my friends of "Internet Space" - but, that will have to wait for another day.... for now I will away, with Neil Young's 'Psychedelic Pill' Cd playing away in the background, life is good !! So.... until next time....

Bye Bye

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Graduation Day and - of course - music !!

Greetings Worlds !!

It has been a wonderful few days..... I can not tell you how much yesterday has meant to me & how it has brought such a wave of happiness in our hearts.... more later !!

It's a Tuesday, here in old England.... the rain of the last few days has eased away from our little area & moved further North.  If you're reading this - in another part of England - well, I wish you well... our little part of the Universe has been sodden, over the last week.... everywhere is sooooo wet & horrid !!

The next village along - well, you have to feel for them... they had a flood, and they were in the middle of clearing that up, and then the river burst it's banks, for a second time and their homes were soaked thru' again !!  You had to feel for them !!

But - having said that.... one guy really p****d me off !!  The film crew was in his house, as the water came in.... just a small bit at first, then it got worse.  But, instead of trying to move things, out of the way, he just left his stuff to get wet thru' !!  How mad is that - if there was a small chance of the water coming into this place of ours, I would be frantic, making sure as much as I could was put upstairs & out of harms way !!

Oh well.... each to their own I guess......

Ok - as type... I'm here on my own. B has gone to bed, with the a bad headache - which gets, from time to time..... and the guys have gone into town, to sort out some 'photo's, from yesterday..... to explain !!

After 2 years at college & 3 years at Uni.... ME has graduated !!  So, yesterday... to attend the ceremony, we got up really early, got our "glad rags" on & headed for Bristol.... it started at 2 pm... but, they suggested everybody got there at 12 noon.  It seemed a little early, but - once we were there - it all made sense.... Because there were so many people, graduating, they had to register (that they were attending) and collect their robes & hats.

From there we were allowed to all have our 'photo's taken.... "allowed" is the wrong word really... it cost over £60 to have them done, so.. we were only getting what we had paid for !!

Anyhoo... we got there early, and ME sorted her stuff out... and by the time we had had our picture taken, the queue was out the door & around the block !!  By getting there as early as we did, we were able to miss out on all that waiting !!

We found our place - tho' they hadn't taken into account my wheelchair, so some chairs had to moved, which a nice member of the clergy help with and we waited for a short while, for it to start.

Why clergy ?.... well - the ceremony was held in the Bristol Cathedral & so.... there were members of the clergy there to help.  I had never been in the cathedral before, but it was a wonderful setting for the whole thing... tho' - extremely cold !!  At one point, B put her gloves on, it was that cold !!

Two mishaps did happen tho'...... my camera refused to work !!  Bummer & after that, B's little digital couldn't really deal with the distance involved, between us & the actual presentation !!  Never mind... one of ME's friends, who also graduated... well, her Dad had kindly offered us a DVD of the ceremony... so, we will have that, at some point, to look at & remember the day !!

Afterwards - we got quite a few pictures taken, so... ME & J have gone into town, this morning, to have them printed up - I look forward to seeing them !!

So, today... well, I'm full of good cheer.... to see my little girl graduate, to see her in her robes & sooooo happy, well - it has meant so  very much to, not only me, but B as well !!  I realised, probably for the first time, how "my little girl" has grown up & what she has achieved !! Bless her.....

The down side tho'.... poor B has got herself a migraine.... probably from over doing it yesterday & everything that went with it !!  Never mind - she has gone to be, to sleep it off & rest up.  I went in, to take her some ice water & the cat was keeping her safe.... so, she has company !!

So, anyways... that's the family...

As for the music... I'm listening to one of my old tapes, again.  At the moment, it has a bit of Bach, played by, the then known, Walter Carlos.  Since he recorded this, he had a sex change & a change of name, as well !! I kid you not - but, each to their own I guess !!

I just had a 'phone call, from a friend - who happens to live in Bristol - thanking me for some old Cd's I sent him.  I send him things I no longer want & he sells them on.... it's a good relationship really - I send him stuff & he sends me things, which he knows I will like.  it works well.....

There is no Zeppelin concert for today... well, not one I have at least... but, for what it's worth, I'm sort of watching the DVD that came out a week or so ago... It's on the TV, with the sound turned down.  why ?  I don't know really... it's just on !!  Page is going thru' the whole 'Dazed & Confused' violin bow bit, as I type.... it was good, when I first saw him doing it 40 odd years ago... but, now... well..... Never mind !!

As for the rest of the day..... well, with B in bed, it's going to be a quiet one really.  We were not thinking of going anywhere today.... but, with her headache, that's maybe for the best !!  Oh yes, I forgot...

I had a nice little e-mail, from a lady in America.  We read her blog & she wanted to see who we are, I guess !!  Anyways - it was lovely to hear from you... we enjoy your posts - so, keep doing them !!

Plus - I have to write to Lady V... I've had a shed load of mail, yesterday & Sunday... so, I need to catch up a bit !!  hi lady V... I haven't forgotten you... I'll write soon !!

For now tho'... I must be on my ways !!  I thank you all for logging in & reading my words... until next time...

Bye Bye

Friday, 23 November 2012

A Cold & Bright Day.. plus music !!

Greetings Worlds !!

It's a very cold & bright Friday afternoon, here in England !!  The rain of the last few days has blown thru' - but, lots of places have had floods, so..... As I type, the builders are here, well... painters & builders !!  At least it's dry for them - tho' bitterly cold... especially up their ladders & scaffolding !!

At the moment, all of the family are here...... B is a few feet away from me, doing some crafty stuff, J is up on his computer & ME is asleep, after doing a night shift at work.

We all the rain & floods - well, we were really worried her, driving the 40+ miles to work last night !!  In the end, she went a different way... having left about an hour earlier than she would have
normally !!  I was really, really pleased when she sent a text, to say she had got there safely !!

She has tomorrow off, but is working thru' the night... followed by a whole week off (I think) - which she is really looking forward to !!  I can't think she has got much sleep today.... the guys have been banging & scraping most of the morning, up until now !!  I've even kept the music low - to try & help.... not that I think it did !!

I've been playing the Cd's my South American friend left for me.... all from concerts, recorded this year.   two are by Springsteen, from Chicago (September 7th & 8th) and the third is from Neil Young, recorded in Lake Tahoe, on August 9th.

They're both audience recordings.... but, well worth listening to !!  The NY stuff features a load of the stuff on his latest album - 'Psychedelic Pill' - and is well good.... I like his stuff anyways, but hearing him do 20+ minute live versions... well, it's the butter on the toast !!

The Springsteen sets... well, 2 nights, 2 different concerts... well good to listen to, really great concerts !! I wish I had listened to them before - but, I never good around to it properly !!  Never mind - better late than never !!

I forgot to mention.... A big "Hello" to my reader in Poland... and the rest of you of course, who have logged in today !!  I thank you for your time.... !!

Right... as it's a Friday.... I might not be able to post over the weekend.  So, as I have 2 Zeppelin shows, I thought I would list them today.  The first is from Manchester & was the recorded on November 24th 1971.

The tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Immigrant Song
  2) Heartbreaker
  3) Black Dog
  4) Since I've Been Loving You
  5) Celebration Day
  6) Stairway To Heaven
  7) Going To California
  8) That's The Way
  9) Tangerine
10) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused
2) What Is & What Should Never Be
3) Rock & Roll
4) Whole Lotta Love
5) Thank You

The 2nd show was recorded on November 25th 1971, in Leicester.....the tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Introduction
  2) Immigrant Song
  3) Heartbreaker
  4) Black Dog
  5) Since I've Been Loving You
  6) Celebration Day
  7) Going To California
  8) That's The Way
  9) Tangerine
10) Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused
2) Stairway To Heaven

CD 3

1) What Is & What Should Never Be
2) Whole Lotta Love
3) Rock & Roll
4) Communication Breakdown

I was really happy, when this tape finally came out on Cd...... it was one of those tapes, that some people said didn't exist.... mainly as they didn't have a copy !!  I had it on an old spool tape, for years before it actually leaked out onto the "bootleg market" !!  Up until then, it didn't exist.... in books, on trading sheets... anywhere, so I just sat back & kept quiet about it !!

I didn't give my copy to anyone... so, somebody else must of had it.... which is - kind of - how these tapes seem to circulate !!  Oh well.... that's the weekend concerts taken care of.... more another time.  But, as always - don't buy bootlegs, buy the official stuff instead.... no matter who the band are !!

The music of the moment... well, it's a bit of classical stuff, from the soundtrack Lp, to the TV show 'Cosmos'.  It's another one of my 'Project '87' tapes.... I'm enjoying listening to them again !!

I was playing them thru, a little earlier... and it struct me how many of the people, on the tapes, are now dead !! I was listening to some Canned Heat & Mountain.... it was kind of weird.. to know, I've been listening to this music, for sooooo many years & how many of the musicians have now departed !!  It's sad - but still interesting, to me, to know that I'm still listening to their music !!

Ok - my plans, for today..... nothing too mad !!  With the builders & painters here, I won't be going very far at all !!  This weekend is our Church Conference, in Bristol..... but, I'm not sure if we'll make it or not.  Having had a not so good week, I really want to relax a bit
more !!

We will be going up to B's Mum's grave... as she past away a few years ago, this weekend... so, we will go & put some flowers on the grave.  It's the least we can do really.

But, that's for the weekend... for now, I will be on my ways... I thank you all for logging in & reading my words... until next time...

Bye Bye

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Britney Spears & Jimi Hendrix.. Ho-hum !!

Well "Hi" Everybody !!

It's Thursday, here in England.... I mention that, simply, because... well, as you log in from different parts of the World - it might be Wednesday, or even Friday, wherever you might be !!

If you're reading in America.... "Happy Thanksgiving" to you all & yours !!  I think it's the 4th Thursday of the month, which - if I'm right - would make it your special day.... I'll check later !!

As I type, I'm listening to the Janis Ian 2 Cd set, which I picked up, earlier in the week...... or last week, I can't really remember !!  Anyhoo - it's really good... some of the between song "chats" are very funny !!  How she has been compared to Britney Spears ...... and, just a few seconds ago, how she broke into a bit of
'Purple Haze' !!  That was funny.... it really was !!

Anyways... that's the music... as for the family...

B has gone out to the gym & will be home about lunch time..... J has been out with the neighbours dog, Murphy, and ME is trying to get as much sleep as she can... as she is working all night tonight !!  I felt she should of told her boss to stuff it, but..... she is working a couple of night shifts, sooooo that's the reason she is still in bed & trying to sleep !!

I will probably listen to the music, thru' my headphones, a little later.... but, not yet !!  It's not quite 10am, so she is still very much awake !!  Whatever, I'll keep the music down, below deafening at least - so she can maybe get a couple of hours sleep !!

I keep saying this - but, I really hope the last Therion set will get here, today !!  It's been 3 weeks since I ordered it & I've sent sooooo many e-mails, complaining about it... it has to get here, at some
point !!  If not, I'll get my money back.... and in the meantime, never order any thing else from that particular company !!

I still don't think they sent it, when they said they did.... on November 6th !!  I think they sat on my money, until I complained & then sent it out at that time..... oh well !!

As mentioned, yesterday, it was really wet outside..... today, however, it seems a lot dryer, so we might have the guys here to start the paint job.  I don't envy them - the wood & wall is so very wet, it will be very hard work for them.... plus very cold !!  If they show up, good luck to them !!

As for my plans today... well.... I want to watch a bit of TV later... so, that's about it really !!  Nothing too exciting - unless the Cd's finally show up, of course !!  But.... as I've not seen any flying pigs going over head, I won't get my hopes up !!

I thank you all for logging in again & again..... I'm sorry this is short, but there will be more, next time.... until then...

Bye Bye

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Floods & Clinic...plus music of course !!

Greetings Worlds !!

How are you all doing this fine day ?  I'm Ok... and I'm in the house, warm & dry...to explain !!

Over night, we had some really heavy rain... it just kept going all night !! What we didn't know, this morning... well, until ME 'phoned... was just how bad it had been !!

She had spent the night, at M's house... then, when he went to work, she tried to drive home.  She got as far as the next village along - only to find the flood water had blocked off the road !!  B did try & go to rescue her - but, in the end - a policeman drove her car thru' the easier bit & she was able to get home....

This afternoon, I had to go back to the clinic... so, thinking the road might still be bad, we left earlier than usual.  Luckily, the worst of the floods had drained away - but, there were still places where the road was completely covered !!  Bummer !!

Anyways - after my hour at the clinic... we drove home & most of it has gone now... I'm glad to say !!  Tho' - we now have a new river, thru' a field on the outskirts of the village !!  I've never seen it that bad before.... !!

Yesterday - late afternoon... the guys came & put up the scaffold, around the side of the house, so they can start painting... The guys were wet thru' & freezing, by the time they had finished..... so, hot cups of tea were the order of the day !!

Interestingly, the scaffold work hasn't gone unnoticed by the NFH !!  I was on the bed, last night, waiting for B to get home.... well, the shouting  she was doing, about the iron work.... well, lets just say... she wasn't too pleased about it !!

I get the impression, that she thought we were going to have the builders in, to do an extension !!  Now, that would be fun - and I know she would hate that !!  Never mind - as soon as the painting is done, the stuff will be taken down & put away !!  Life will go on & on..... but, it's given her something to shout about !!

Talking of B & ME... they've gone back into town, to try & find some things, in one of the shops.  I did suggest that, as we were going thru' town, that they may as well go shopping then, but..... So, with the ladies out, that just leaves J & myself, home... no problems !!

I mentioned the clinic - it was my 5th visit.... it didn't take so much out of me today !!  Last week's session.... well, it really did knock the stuffing out of me !!  Today wasn't so bad !!  It's been decided, that I should have another 7 sessions..... which will take us, up to & beyond Christmas.... but, it's all good.  It has been hard, but I can see the benefits & that's a bonus - a good bonus !!

Next time, in 2 weeks... I'm taking in my 'Project '87' list.  You can read about what that is, on previous posts.... but, in essence, I'm taking the list in, as a musical diary - to see what I did... 25 years
ago !!

The music of the moment is from one of the tapes & features Yes's 'And You & I' track...... it's on tape 5 - so, only another 37 to go.... if I play them all !!

I played the Therion set, that reached me, yesterday...... it's well good !!  ME loved their version of the 'Babe' soundtrack music.... without looking, I'm not exactly sure, what it's called.... but, on the whole - it's a really good package !!

I had hoped that the last package would be here, today.... but, given what the roads were like this morning, I'm not convinced the post vans would of got thru' to do the deliveries !! Oh well - maybe tomorrow.... as I'm not going anywhere - if it comes, it will give me something to listen to then !!

Usually, on a Wednesday evening, we have 2 guys, from Church, come around.... again, check previous posts... but, last week, I asked them not to come this Wednesday.  I didn't know, at the time, that I wouldn't been feeling poorly this week..... but, I'm glad - with hindsight - that we called them off !!  I really do need to get a couple of early nights under my wings... to try & catch up a bit !!

We had a bit of "fun" yesterday afternoon.... As mentioned before, we help to look after the neighbours dog, Murphy.  Well, J let him out & before we knew it - he had bolted into our living room & left a trail of mud behind him, all thru' the place !!  honestly - it was really bad !!

B got down to it, with some carpet cleaner, and this morning... well, you can't tell there was a dog here, at all..... it was mud every where tho' !! Never mind !!

The music of the moment is Hendrix's 'Woodstock' trilogy.... the music that was on the original 3 Lp set. I have it here, on Cd now - but, 25 years ago... well, I was just happy to have it on vinyl !!

Right, my plans for today.... well, none at all, I guess....... I just want to rest up & enjoy a bit of music or TV - tho' I'm not really sure what is on the box tonight - hopefully something worth watching !!  Anyhoo - I must away... I thank you all for logging in - remember, I'm always happy to hear from you, if you want to leave a comment or e-mail !!

Must away... until next time....

Bye Bye

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

A Wet Day & A Miskolc Experience !!

Greetings Worlds !!

It's another Tuesday, here in England.... and, just for a change, it's raining..... again !! Never mind... I'm here in the warm & - at last - one of the Therion albums has reached me !! "Yipppeeeee !!"  It's only taken 3 weeks to get here !!

So - the music of the moment is Pt. 2 of the DVD of 'The Miskolc Experience'.... it has only just reached me, so I'm listening to track one, as I type !!  So far, so good !!

Ok - the family....

B has gone into town, to a gym class & to pick up a few things in the supermarket...... ME is at work, and - as she is spending the night at M's - will be home, some time tomorrow.  That just leaves J here, about some place, to keep an eye on me. I'll be good... and try & not give him too many problems !!

I'm not feeling too bad today.... so, I'm pleased about that !! I did land up, back in bed, yesterday, after I posted... but... today isn't too bad, so far at least !!

Oh... I had a quick visit to the Dr's in the late afternoon.... to get the results on my X-rays..... they didn't show up too much, so.... I am going to get some kind of treatment, from a lady who works there (at the Dr's) but, as yet, I don't know when that will start !!

Then - tomorrow - I'm back at the clinic to see the lady again..... my 5th visit, in total.... it seems to have flown by, really - even if it's knocking the stuffing out of me, each time I go !!  Never mind.... it's all for the best !!

A little earlier, the Missionary Sisters 'phoned, to see if B could go out with them, again, this week..... I love My Wife & Dearest Friend to bits & I would never stand in her way, if she wanted to go out.... but, I was pleased when she said "no" as she wants to be home with me...... that was nice !!

I would not of minded, her going out.... but, I was really grateful when she said "no"...... bless her !!

Anyways... back to music....

I have another Led Zeppelin show, again from 1971 - this time from their Wembley concert.  So, from November 20th 1971, the tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Immigrant Song
  2) Heartbreaker
  3) Black Dog
  4) Since I've Been Loving You
  5) Rock & Roll
  6) Stairway To Heaven
  7) Dancing Days
  8) Going To California
  9) That's The Way
10) Tangerine

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused
2) What Is & What Should Never Be
3) Moby Dick
4) Whole Lotta Love

For me, not one of the best shows... but, it was still interesting.  It has an early version of 'Dancing Days'.. the track didn't come out, on Lp for another 15 months or so...... I'm also told, that 'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp' was played on the night, but it doesn't seem to be on this copy of the show.  Mind you - it's been a very long time, since I played it, so... it might be there, some place or another & not listed on the cover...... As always, don't buy bootlegs, buy the official stuff instead !!

At some point, today, the painters were meant to be here.... A guy showed up, last evening, to say they were going to erect the scaffolding (to reach the roof area) and then start painting, tomorrow.... but, as yet, there is no sign of anybody !!  Mind you - with the way it's raining out side, they wouldn't of done much in the way of painting anyhoo !!

If they do come tomorrow, they will have to manage on their own... as I wrote above, I'll be at the clinic again.  Still, J will be here, if they need anything at all !!

Ok - my plans for today... none at all... so, no surprises there folks !!

No, really... I do have a few things to get on with, so altho' I'm not going to be that busy, I will be kept occupied !!  "Such is life...." !!  I'm glad this Therion set showed up - that will give me something different to listen to.... well, for now at least !!

So - with a happy heart, I will be on my ways.... As always, I thank you for taking the time to log in & read my words... until next time....

Bye Bye

Monday, 19 November 2012

Project '87 & a Sunday asleep !! Ho-hum

Greetings Worlds !!

How has your been, so far ?!  It's another Monday, here in old England.......it's quite warm, but - as B just left - it's trying hard to rain.... never mind !!

B has gone into town, to do a bit of shopping & take in a gym class of some sort.... I think that's about lunch time, so she'll be home a little later.  J is here, behind me, packing away the kitchen stuff - dishes & what have you..... which leaves ME, who is - once again - working today.  I think she has one more day to do & then she'll have a break of some sort.

A week today, we are going up to Bristol, for her graduation ceremony....... that seems like it's been a long time coming around !!

It seems like ages, since she finished at Uni & the ceremony was just around the corner !!  Now, a few months later, it's finally on us..... It's being held at the Cathedral, in Bristol, and - well, I don't know what time it starts, so... it's going to be a long day !!  But - even with all of that, I'm still looking forward to see our little girl get her degree certificate !!

I'm really proud of her.... I really am !!  She will always be my "little girl".... but, she has come sooooo far over the last few years & it's all been her own work, bless her !!

The music of the moment is a track, by Don McLean, called 'Crossroads'  -  my Lord, is it ever depressing !!

It's on the first tape of 42, which became my first project tape, in 1987..... it's now moved onto Cheech & Chong's 'Basketball Jones'... much better !!  There are so many tracks, on these 42 tapes.... there will be some "low" spots... but, it's all music, so worth listening to !!

As for what I mean as a "Project Tape"... read on.......

On New Year's day in 1987, I decided to record one track or piece of music, onto a tape, every day & over the following 12 months, that's exactly what I did !!  It all started off, as a bit of a joke.... but, it grew & grew & became "Project '87" !!

I've done several since this first one....... and I only really thought about listening to it again, when the Missionaries came over & I pulled out another one.  That one has a big skeleton, playing a guitar, in the form of  a poster.... all good fun !!

I'm not sure if I've written this before..... but.... Last Thursday, a guy came to see me & tried to sort out things, that I would use around the house..... hard to explain really.... Anyways, as my health has got worse, over the last 12 months... it's been decided I should have a stair lift !! I'm not sure how it works, never having used one before, but..... it seems like, I sit on the thing & it goes up (or down) the stairs, to help me get around... all very weird !!

I do struggle going up & down the stairs.... and to be honest, we could really use a bungalow.... but, as that isn't likely to happen, a stair lift seems like the next best option !! Maybe.. just maybe.. I could "pimp" it up a bit, put a little class on the thing !!

If nothing else, I'm guessing ME will enjoy going up & down on the thing - when ever it gets put in.... which won't be for a while at
least !!  I'll keep you posted on how thing goes !!

Talking of post.... vaguely speaking. I'm still waiting for the Therion stuff, that I ordered on November 1st !!  It's stupid !! I'm convinced that, even tho' they said it was posted on November 6th, that was just a lie - and in real terms, they never posted the 2 things !!

If they can sit on the customer's cash for nearly a month, before posting out the Cd's and stuff, it's money they're making everyday.  When the customer - like I did - moans, because the package hasn't arrived, it's then they send it... claiming it was "lost in the post" !!  Yeh.. right !!

Now, given that I moaned a week ago..... if they posted it, as they said they would.. it should reach me today !!  I don't think that's going to happen - tho'.. it just might !!  I will let you know...

Ok... my plans for today.  I have to go down & see my local Dr this afternoon.... to get a follow up, to the X-rays I had taken a while back.  Hopefully, they will show something he can sort out, for me !!  I hate it, when there is something painful & they don't know what it is, or how to treat it !!  Never mind... I'm sure the pills & potions I have here will help !!

I'm not sure if anybody is coming to see us today.... that is to say, I'm not expecting anyone !! The Elders did 'phone yesterday, to see how I was & offered to do the Sacrament for us..... but, as I may have mentioned above.. I was in bed & asleep, for nearly the whole day !!

I needed the down time... but, it's a shame we couldn't get to Church... but, it's nice to know, they were thinking about us !!  Oh well.... I better be on my ways....

The music of the moment, from the same tape as before, is now 'Heavens On Fire' by Kiss..... it's got a beat & you can dance to it... thank's Marty !!  I will away... until next time...

Bye Bye

Saturday, 17 November 2012

'Celebration Day' !!

Hi Everybody !!

How are you all doing this fine day ?!  It's cold & bright here... B took me into town, earlier & I stayed snug in the car - blow getting out in these temperatures !!

Anyways...

I was thinking back, to really brilliant Zeppelin bootleg.... it's called 'Burn Like A Candle' & covers. almost completely their June 25th concert in Los Angeles.  It's a great show & it - for me - raised a problem.

When the band released 'How The West Was Won'... well, it really compared badly to the old audience recording that I was used to !! There was so little atmosphere, in the official release & - for me - that is a problem.

What has all of this got to do with the price of fish & chips ? Well, nothing at all really.... but, having listened to the re-union show, from December 10th 2007, sooooo many times over the last few years.... well, the official release, that came out this week, fails badly, to live up to my expectations !!

But - that's just me & I would recommend you buy the official box set, in preference to the boot.... for one thing, it's not going to cost the band anything.... & - thinking about it - the boot is probably going to be more expensive !!

The tracks are:

CD 1

1) Good Times, Bad Times
2) Ramble On
3) Black Dog
4) In My Time Of Dying
5) For Your Life
6) Trampled Underfoot
7) Nobody's Fault But Mine
8) No Quarter

CD 2

1) Since I've Been Loving You
2) Dazed & Confused
3) Stairway To Heaven
4) The Song Remains The Same
5) Misty Mountain Hop
6) Kashmir
7) Whole Lotta Love
8) Rock & Roll

The stand out track, for me at least, is 'Since I've Been Loving You'.... Jason Bonham's drumming is the best I've ever heard from him !!  He is a decent guy - and yes I have met him - but, I wish he could break away from "the Son of Bonzo" tag !!  Never mind.... it's a good collection of tracks & worth having in your collection.  I wish they had done something from 'In Thru' The Out Door' album... but, never mind !!  Buy the box set... you get 2 DVD's & 2 Cd's for your money .... so......

As I type, B is here drinking hot chocolate... it's that cold outside, J is up in his room & ME is at work..... she'll be home much later.  M was here, earlier... he had to come to the village, so as he needed just a little help, finding a place, he called in.

As for my plans for today... well, for the whole weekend... I'm going to kick back & rest up - it's been a very busy week & I need my beauty sleep !!  Ho-hum....

Thank you for logging in.....until next time...

Bye Bye

Friday, 16 November 2012

A wet & horrid Friday - Time for music !!

Greetings Worlds !!

It's another wet & horrid Friday, here in England........ mind you, we are heading towards December, so..... Oh well - I hope you are all doing well & your part of the Internet Galaxy is treating you well ?!

Life is pretty good here.... altho' it's not very nice, outside - I'm staying here, in the warm !!  As I type - ME is sat a few feet away, watching "Daytime TV" (I'm not sure what)... J is upstairs & B has gone into town.  She wanted to take in a gym class & do a bit of shopping.... so.... off she went.

ME - as she is a cheeky moo... asked if B could go in & pay her garage bill !!  She didn't fancy going out herself, to pay it - so, B agreed to do it on the way out.... we really pamper our little girl !!

To keep that up... the whole "pamper thing"... I'm listening to music thru' my headphones today.  After all, I don't want to spoil ME's morning TV shows !!  Ho-hum......

The music of the moment is the live version of 'The Lord Of The Rings'..... I might of mentioned this before - but.... It's a 2 Cd set of a concert, featuring the music from the 3 films.  For me - as a big fan of the movie's, I love it.... I don't think it's everybody's cup of tea... but, it's really good fun !!

I'll come back to music, in a moment......

Last night, well - as I wrote yesterday evening.... B went out with the Sisters & helped them out by visiting a guy, who is interested in the Church.  They needed an extra Sister with them, to kind of give them an extra pair of hands !!  I guess, it can't be easy for 2 young girls, to go into a man's home, on their own.... no matter how nice the man
is !!

Anyhoo...B came home, just after 9 & seems to have had a good time...... there is a chance she will go back out, with them, tonight.... I'm not sure yet - I think the Sisters are going to 'phone later today, to confirm what is happening !!

This past few weeks... well... we seem to be doing more & more Church things !!  This coming week.... I've decided to ask the guys, who visit, to give us a bit of a break.... so B & I can have some together time, just for us.  I know the guys don't spend hours & hours with us - but it would be good, just to have a clear week... on our own !!

Back to music... I have another Zeppelin concert... from November 16th 1971.  The band were on a British tour & on that night, they did a great set in Ipswich.  The tracks are:

CD 1

1) Immigrant Song
2) Heartbreaker
3) Black Dog
4) Since I've Been Loving You
5) Rock & Roll
6) Stairway To Heaven
7) Going To California
8) That's The Way
9) Tangerine

CD 2

1) Dazed & Confused
2) What Is & What Should Never Be
3) Celebration Day

CD 3

1) Whole Lotta Love
2) Weekend
3) Gallows Pole

This is a fantastic concert, in sooooo many ways !!  The sound quality is brilliant, the tracks played are really good & it "put to bed" all those "Experts" who claimed Zeppelin only played 'Gallows Pole" & 'Weekend' once !!

You know the "Experts" - they write books & claim to know all there is to know about Zeppelin.... AKA - if they haven't got a certain recording, it doesn't exist !! They p**s me off..... they really do !!

Anyhoo - a great concert, a fantastic set list & one of my all time favourites...... even more so, as I have an old spool tape of the show, which features a different recording, to the one that has been circulating all these years !!  More another time - but, please don't buy bootlegs - buy the official stuff instead !!

Talking of which - the brand new Zeppelin concert release, should be here with me very soon.... hopefully by Monday.  It's the 2007 concert, but it should be interesting to listen to a pro-version of the thing !!

If the "Music Gods" favour me, today, I might get the Therion stuff I've been waiting for.... not a chance !! I ordered them on November 1st & as yet, they still aren't here !!  I'm guessing - when they do actually have the nerve to show up, they will have a very new post mark on them..... after all, I wrote & complained this week - so, I guess, they will now send a new package & claim the old one got lost in the post !!  Yea - like that actually happened !!

More likely they sat on my order cash & decided to wait, until I complained, before mailing it on to me !!  Time will tell.....

If I haven't got them, by a week today - I'm really going to be fed up it all & will have to ask for my cash back !!  Plus, give them a really bad response, on their "good or bad" web page !!  We'll see how things go.....

Ok... my plans for today..... as usual, none at all really !!  It's going to be a chill back & rest day !!  Wednesday's clinic visit has still knocked the stuffing out of me, so I need to get my head around that !!  Never mind...

... I could put up B's new bird table thing... but, I really want to wait, until it's dry out there... I don't fancy getting these old bones of mine wet & cold today !!  Besides - I still have to put the thing together... so, it ain't going nowhere fast !!

But, I must away... so, I thank you all for reading my words & taking the time to log in.... until next time....

Bye Bye

Thursday, 15 November 2012

Janis Ian & The Grateful Dead.. Ho-hum...

Greetings Worlds !!

I hope you're all doing well, in your part of the Internet Universe ?!  I have been a bit tardy, by not writing for a day or two - I hope I can be forgiven for that.... life has a knack of upsetting the best of plans !!

I had hoped, by now, to have been blasting the two Therion sets... which I ordered about two weeks ago - but, as yet they still haven't reached me !! So, that's been a bummer !!  The place I ordered them from, said to allow 6 or 7 days for postage.... but, that was 9 days ago !!  So - I've sent them two - not so polite - e-mails, asking what is going on ?!

What makes it worse, I only ordered the stuff, from them, as they claimed they were in stock & would be dispatched within 24 hours.... like that was going to happen !!  As it's from... or thru' "play.com".. they will expect me to send a follow up "how do you rate us" type of thing..... unless the stuff gets here tomorrow, at the latest, well..... it's probably better that I don't actually give them a rating !!

We will see how things go... but, I'm not holding out for anything too spectacular !!

Ok - it's a Thursday night, here in England... and, apart from J... I'm home alone.  ME is working & then spending the night at M's place... and B has just gone out, to do a bit of visiting with the Missionary Sisters. She was going to go, tomorrow night... but, they asked if they could go tonight... so, she left here a short while ago.

The Missionary Elders were here, at the time, so... they all left together. B heading towards Taunton & the Elders heading in the opposite direction, towards a place near to where they live, or are staying at the moment.

It's been a very hectic week - well, for me, at least...

As mentioned before, we had a special meeting with the Temple President on Sunday... and, as a follow up, to that... the Elders came around on Tuesday evening.  Then, on Wednesday (last night) our visiting teacher came over, for a couple of hours.... all kind of crazy really !!  The guy left, quite late last night - so, that tired me out a bit....

... plus, yesterday, I had another visit to my "new" clinic... and that really did knock the stuffing out of me !!

The lady who is looking after me, at the clinic, is really great & very helpful.... but, it really is draining & I do find it incredibly hard !!  I won't bore you all, with all the detail.... but, after I left, I knew I had been "thru' it" or whatever you want to call it !!

Never mind... nobody said it was going to be easy.... so, I'm happy to go & be helped.... it's all for the best, but the visits (to the clinic) have really taken a toll on my day to day living !!

Never mind... onwards...

The music of the moment is The Grateful Dead's 'Dark Star'... which... well, this is a tape of their 1972 set, recorded here in England.  It's on an old tape of mine... from an old Lp... since then, I've picked up a much better version, as part of a 4 Cd set....... I just put this tape on, at random, out of 65... which are on the table, just to see what was on it.... so far, it's been great fun !!

I will have another Zeppelin concert tomorrow... from 1971.... but, I've nothing from today..... so, log in tomorrow..... if you can & I'll list it then !!

We went into town, yesterday, on my way back from the clinic.... and I picked up a 2 Cd, live set, by Janis Ian.  It's called 'Working Without A Net' and that's all I know about it !!  It looked interesting & I remembered one of the tracks... 'At Seventeen'... so, I went for it.  As yet, I've not played it at all.... but... I'll give it a go, tomorrow & see what it's like !!

I really love having music in my life.... even stuff I don't know very well.... it's all good !!

I think, tomorrow, B is heading towards the gym... so, I will have time to blast things thru' the speakers.... it would be good, if the Therion stuff reached me, but... I'm not going to hold my breath !!  An empty house & loud rock music - well, what could be better !!

But, as for my plans, for tonight... well.... I don't really have any !!  I have the afore mentioned 65 tapes, to put away... but, apart from that - it's going to be a quiet night !!  I'll probably head towards bed & wait for B to get home..... hopefully, I won't fall asleep, before she gets here !!

So - with such an exciting night ahead of me - I will be on my ways...... I thank you for logging in.... until next time...

Bye Bye