The Lord Of The Rings... again....

Well "Greetings" !!

It's another Friday... and, altho' I don't work anymore - I always think of it, as the end of the week !! So - here's to another upcoming weekend & all that it brings to us......

It's a really bright afternoon, here in England.... the Sun has been out for hours now, but it's getting colder as the day has gone on. nevermind - I've done the fire, all ready to be set..... but, not yet - it's a little too warm at the moment !! Fire's are for later - cooler times....

Ok - as you may have noticed.... I didn't write anything yesterday. I had to be at the hospital, for 2.30pm & that took up most of our day. To explain....

My appointment was for, as mentioned 2.30 - but, allowing for the problems, mainly with the - usually over crowded - car park... we got there about 2 & parked up, with-out any problems at all !! With visiting - well.... about 2-3pm, it all gets very mad...... with everybody showing up & causing traffic jams around the place...... but, we seem to get there, just about the right time. As we were heading towards the hospital buildings - the cars were starting to arrive - but, we beat the best of them !! Oh well...

We made it to the place I had to go..... and then waited, and waited, and waited - until I was seen, at exactly 3pm !! It's Ok - we are used to hanging around the place... the people are always busy - so, it's fine by us..... and besides - it's fun listening to the moans of the people who seem to be "newby's" to the whole hospital system !!

Just because the appointment says one time... it's very rare to actually be on time !! It's no problem..... we are used to it all now !!

Anyhoo - the guy fitted me with a brand new neck brace... and it's really brilliant !! My old one - well, it was getting worn out & wasn't very good..... I couldn't get it to keep in place, that's not a problem now !! I had forgotten just how "ridged" the brace was, when it was brand new !! Now, this replacement is keeping my head & neck, exactly where it's meant to be.... it's well good & I'm glad I've got a replacement........ There is an old phrase..... about not knowing how bad thing s are, until it's put back to being right. That's not exactly right - but, I didn't realise just how bad my old one was - until this new one was put around my neck & into place..... it's well good !!

We left the hospital & from there, we headed into Taunton & I went Cd hunting !! Always a great way to keep me happy & very busy...... as it was, I came home with a bundle of stuff....

Van Morrison's 'Still On Top - The Greatest Hits'
UFO 'Seven Deadly'
Alanis Morissette 'Havoc & Bright Lights'
Ian Gillan & Tony Iommi  'Who Cares'
Stevie Ray Vaughan 'Texas Flood'
Jimi Hendrix 'Smash Hits'
Status Quo 'Quid Pro Quo'
Blackmore's Night 'A Knight In York'

Plus add to all of the above, the first three Allman Brother's 2013 show arrived !! Sooooo as you probably imagine, I'm having a pretty good "music day" here, in the old homestead !! But - having said all of that - at the moment, I'm listening to the BBC version of 'The Lord Of The Rings'...... I'm having a quiet time !!

I found the 'Rings' Cd's when I was sorting out the discs, a day or two ago.... and, now... well, I wanted to try & give it a listen. I played some Allman's earlier.... so, as B was here, I decided to give the music a break & listen to this.

The track listing for the Allman's show is:

CD 1

  1) Les Brers In A Minor
  2) Don't Want You No More
  3) It's Not My Cross To Bear
  4) Statesboro' Blues
  5) Stage Banter
  6) Ain't Wasting My Time No More
  7) Good Morning Little School Girl
  8) Midnight Rider
  9) Blind Willy McTell
10) Leave My Blues At Home
11) Les Brers In A Minor - Reprise

CD 2

1) Rain
2) Trouble No More
3) Dark 'Till Dawn
4) No One To Run With
5) Key To The Highway
6) Don't Keep Me Wondering

CD 3

1) 1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)
2) Mountain Jam
3) 1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) - Reprise
4) Mountain Jam - Reprise
5) Crowd Noise
6) One Way Out

To be honest - I have had a bit of a music "overdose".... but, if you want to hear just great music... play disc 3 of the above & you will be well happy !! It's brilliant... it really is !! You can get a copy from 'Hittin' The Note' via their web site..... and, to be honest - they (the live sets) are really good value for money..... check them out !!

Ok - moving away from music..... the "Family" !!

We are all here, which in itself is a bit of a rarity !! J is upstairs.... ME has worked all of last night and has just had to have a trip to the Dr's. She wasn't feeling too well, so B drove her down, for a check up - all's well tho' !!

So - that just leaves B - who hasn't been feeling too well, herself.... so, I managed to get her to stay in bed, thru' the morning. I "allowed" her to get up, out of bed, when - between us - J & I had tidied the living room. We did fairly well - doing the whole "I Want To Break Free" bit, with the Dyson..... I refused to dress up, as in the video....... nevermind !!

So - that's the family & the music, now:

........................"The Big News" !!...........fanfare please !!

In the post, this morning, I had the letter that I've been waiting for..... It's from the hospital & I can now reveal, that, on Monday, May 27th - I am going in to have my spinal surgery !! "Yippeeeee !!"... at last !!

I have to go back, to the hospital, 4 weeks today - to have  a last meeting with the Consultant... then, a week or two later... it's "surgery time" !! I think it works out at  45 days & counting - from today.... I repeat, "at last" !!

So, now I know the exact date.... well, the day I'm due to go into the hospital - I think the actual surgery might be the following day - I can get everything together & really prepare for what's going to happen. The Consultant will, no doubt, give me more detail, when I see him..... but, at least I can now work on getting things together - most of all, my brain !!

Those of you, who have been reading for a while, will (maybe) remember I was attending a clinic.... where I visited with a lovely person, who I now refer to Lady B...... not to be mixed up with My Wife & Dearest Friend, B..... it all gets very complicated !! Anyhoo

I filled out a form... to - I think - put my feelings down, on how the clinic meetings went..... it's all very complicated. To continue - as best I can.....

I had a little letter back.... telling me, to visit my Dr, if I needed to...... which I find very interesting. If I'm going to jump off of a bridge, or dive under a train, or maybe.... Well - you get the "picture".... I'm hardly likely to go to a Dr & tell him or her about it..... If someone felt that low about themselves, I can't imagine there would be any point........... !! Oh well - it's a nice letter.

For now tho' Lady B.... I will keep flapping my arms, after all... If you're falling a long way, you may as well try & fly !! My arms do get very tired - but, going to a Dr.... well, that is not going to happen - well, I don't think so at least !!

It's like when something happens & the newspapers report - "it was totally unexpected". Well - isn't that the point.... people get to the stage, where their arms will no longer keep them going - from there, well... it really is all down hill !! On wards - ever onwards.... but don't worry, dear readers........ life will go on !!

Right - my plans for today...... well, as I look about my table, I have a mess & a half, all needing to be cleaned up !! It's alright - getting all of these new Cd's.... but, as I can't keep on top of the ones I already have... well, I need to start having a tidy up !! Oh - "such is life"....

So - I thank you all for logging in & reading my words........ lets start the countdown - 45 days & counting.... until next time...

Bye Bye