Sunday, 22 March 2015

Rush - 'Chronicles' 1990/..... Ho-hum...

Greetings World's !!

I've just realized - it's 1.30am...... on Monday morning & I really ought to think about going to bed !! It's kind of crazy, being wide awake, at this time of the day, but... !! What the heck - at my age, crazy is allowed, from time to time !!

I've been listening to the 2 Cd 'Best Of...' set, from Rush. It's called 'Chronicles' and came out, I think, around 1990. That would make it, one of the earliest Cd's, that we still have in our collection !!

Oh well, I must be on my ways to bed..... I have to go back, to the hospital, tomorrow afternoon......  I'm guessing I should get a little bit of beauty sleep !!

As always - thank's for taking the time, to log in & read my few words.... until next time....

Bye Bye

Friday, 20 March 2015

Vegetating & Iced Earth... ho-hum !!

Greetings World's !!

I hope your bit of our Universe is treating you well ?! Actually - I could argue the case, that you might be in another Universe all together - but, I'm not stoned enough for that !!

It's a bright & Sunny day, here in England's South-West corner & I just had a some what weird moment... well, weirder than normal, even by my own standards !! To explain..

I was doing, what I tend to do a lot.... that is listening to music & - kind of - watching TV at the same time. I had just done a bunch of dishes, left over from yesterday.. so, I was sat down, watching the news, on the BBC & while looking at coverage of the eclipse, that happened this morning, the sound system started to blast out the Grateful Dead's 'Dark Star' !! It was all kind of freaky really..... but, considering what I was looking at, the music fitted perfectly !!

Right - back to the family...

As I type, B is behind me, someplace - hanging out some washing. It's a really nice day, so - rather than use our knackered tumble drying - she is hanging stuff on our washing line. She is now, back into the kitchen, giving one of our two tabby cats a brush.

The cat must really like it... she is laying on her side, letting B do as she pleases !! Pippin - the cat - must be a happy little thing, she is on her side, letting B do all her underneath bits. Only a few years back, you couldn't go near her, with-out getting your fingers bitten off !! Oh well...

As for the rest of the family - well, the M & M's are probably working... as it's only 2pm !! So, apart from B & myself - that's about it really !! If not for the music, blasting away - it would be a very quiet day !!

As For the music...

Well, that's a Cd from an Iced Earth box set, that I got in Birmingham, in 2011. I know, exactly when I bought it, as we were in Birmingham, after watching Gregg Allman..... one of the best concerts, that I have the chance to ever see !!

The tracks are:

  1) Dark Saga
  2) Vengeance Is Mine
  3) Burning Times
  4) Declaration Day
  5) Prophecy
  6) Birth Of The Wicked
  7) The Coming Curse
  8) Ten Thousand Strong
  9) Travel In Stygian
10) Dracula
11) A Question Of Heaven
12) Iced Earth

The box set also came with 2 DVD's - so all in all, it's a good bit of music really !! I should play it more often, but - it kind of gets forgotten about, sat on it's little shelf !!

As I may of mentioned before.... B & I have spent the last few nights - or more - watching the 4 seasons of 'Game Of Thrones'..... all 4 box sets, one DVD after another.... great stuff, lots of blood & really great brilliant plots !!

I was told, that I wouldn't like it - as it was too much like 'The Lord Of The Rings'... well, I don't know where that came from, to me - it's nothing like the 'Rings' !! I'm glad I started to read the books - followed by the TV shows..... I've enjoyed it all !! Roll on season 5..... I'm really looking forward to that..... life is good !!

Ok - I could say 'Life Is Good' - if only the pain would go away.... but, that's for another time. At 4.20 this afternoon, I have to go back to the Dr's....... I'm still attached to this latest 'Vac-pump' - so, I want to talk to him about that.

I saw the nurse, yesterday - with the real intention of getting the bloody thing taken off of me. But - as you might have guessed, I'm still having to live with it !! To explain...

I told the nurse, that I didn't want it - but, as she told me... if I didn't have the pump, I would have to have my wound re-dressed, every
day !! Now then - as much as I hate the pump... I really do, with a vengeance... the thought of having my wound re-dressed, every single day was just too much to deal with !!

Sooooo - today, I'm seeing the Dr' & I'm sure he will tell me, to take more morphine.... which is Ok, for him, but - I do not want to be stoned, for a whole day - day after day !! I've been there & I do not want to go back to feeling like that !!

I'm not really sure, what the out-come will be.... but, I'm guessing that things will not go the way that I hope !! Time will tell, I guess..... !! Onwards...

Being a Friday... I'm guessing we will have to go shopping at some point. That's going to be fun... not !! I am not a great lover of going into supermarkets, with loads of people pushing & shoving, as if it's the end of time !! I hope, if B agree's - that we can go in, after seeing the Dr. That ways, I hope, there will not be quite so many people around !!

Ok - my plans for the rest of the day.... I don't really know !! After the Dr's - if we go shopping, we can come home & settle down,  for the night.... if not, we will probably just watch a bit of TV & vegetate, slowly, but surely..... that's going to be fun......

I must go - I thank you all, for taking the time, to log & read my words - wherever you might be, it's nice of you to take a bit of time, to read the rubbish, that I write.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Not a happy post... ho-hum.....

Greetings !!

It's a warmish Wednesday, here in England, once more, I'm home alone, so - the music is blasted away to it's self & life is pretty good !! Well - it would be, if I didn't have this blasted vac pump, to take everywhere I have to go !!

First tho' - the family !!

As I say - I'm home, on my ownsome. B... My Wife & Dearest Friend... has gone into town, to an afternoon craft club thingy.  I'm never really sure, if she wants to go !! It almost seems like hard work, no enthusiasm, oh well - if I don't want to do something, shit... I tend to be honest & say so !! Oh well....

I'm home alone..... and the music of the moment is a 5 Cd set, by The Michael Schenker Group. It's called 'The Chrysalis Years 1980 - 1984' and, it's pretty good really !! It has a total of 6 albums, on the Cd's + various live sets & out-takes.

I already have 5 of the 6 albums, but, what can I say, I love my music !! Only 'Rock Will Never Die' is missing from my Cd collection.... tho' - I'm pretty sure, that I have it on a tape, someplace or another !!

As I just happen to prefer "live" albums, this one will fit nicely along side all of the 100's of others, that are here, littering up my shelves !!

One day, I'm going to prove the various Dr's right & - as I told B, the other morn ing, one day, "I'm going to wake up dead" !! When that happens - somebody is going to have to go thru' all of these Cd's & try & work out what is what !!

Heck - I don't really remember what I have here - so, good luck, to whoever gets that job !! Ho-hum... I'm sure they will have lots of fun !!

The tracks, on this album are:

1) Captain Nemo
2) Rock My Night's Away
3) Ready To Rock
4) Attack Of The Mad Axe Man
5) Into The Arena
6) Rock Will Never Die
7) Desert Song
8) I'm Going To Make You Mine
9) Doctor Doctor

I just checked - I do have this album, on a tape cassette...... must of bought it, when tapes were still available in the shops !! Oh well........ from what I'm hearing, Mr Schenker's guitar work is it usual brilliance !! Well good......

Staying with music - over the last couple of years, I've been putting the longest Allman Brothers tracks, from their various 'Instant Live' releases, over to me iPod thingy...... "The Mini Egg". Well - because I've had nearly all of the 2014 concerts arrive - I've got way behind, trying to put the various tracks on !!

So, last night - I started over, putting every 2014 concert, onto the Egg..... I still have a few to do, but - by the end of this week, I should have them all sorted out !! I don't know, just how many different tracks they played, but....... there all quite a few of them !! All a bit of fun really.....

Talking of things, that are far from fun - and that's blooming vac pump.

It's now got to the point, that I've not had a full nights sleep.... well, since it was fitted, a week ago yesterday !! Not only is it annoying, uncomfortable - it also bloody hurts !!

I saw my local Dr. - on Monday, I think & he feels that I should try & stay with it.... mainly as that's what my Consultant in Exeter wants !! Anyhoo - yesterday, I 'phoned him up & pointed out, or I should say, I tried to point out, just how much it was hurting.....

..... his only answer, was simple enough.... take more  morphine !! Yes - I could do that - but, why the f***king hell should I ?! I could pop pills, all day long - the pain doesn't go away...... I know this, because I've tried !!

For the record, I'm not taking any morphine pills, at all now !! Maybe, I should - to try & ease the pain..... but, I don't want to !! It's my body, I'll decided what pills & potions I put into it !!

This is not turning into a "fun" post.... sorry about that - I just feel like crap & it's coming thru' in my words !! Sooooo - I think I will sign out, for now at least & get back to sleep.... the best pain relief there is !!

I thank you all, for taking the time, to log in & read my words..... until next time...

Bye Bye

Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Billy Joel or Yes ? Ho-hum....... no contest !!

Greetings World's !!

How is your bit of the Universe treating you, this fine Tuesday
morning ?! Looking out of the window, I can not see too far...... there is a bundle of low cloud, sooooo - the beach is lost !! No - don't get me wrong, it's still there... I just can't see it, thru' the mist !! Oh well.... got to make a 'phone call...

I've just booked our old Toyota, in for a service..... it might be nearly 25 years old - but, it still goes pretty well, for it's age !! Plus - the guy who does the servicing, likes our old banger, mainly as he can get to all of the various parts, with-out needing a bunch of computer gizmo's, to tell him which bits to remove !!

There is also a funny story, connected to the guy..... which, if I've mentioned it before, please just skip ahead a few lines.

We have lived here, in this village..... since 1998 - I had to think then !! Anyways - we got to hear about this garage, from one of the local shop owners, a few years later. Anyhoo....

I had this "gut feeling" that I knew the guy !! I couldn't really think from where - until I saw his full name, written on a bit of paper.... then the penny dropped !! I went to the same school as the guy, tho' - I was in the class, a year ahead of him, with his Brother.

I won't tell you, just how many years ago, that all happened.... but, speaking with him, a short while ago, he confirmed it !! Sooooo, that solved that little mystery !! Even if it did take me over 10 years to work it out !! Nevermind.... it just goes to show, how small the Universe actually is..... !!

A little earlier, B asked me, to wash out a bird feeder...... you know what I mean - one of those metal things, that you hang up, mainly in the Winter, to put extra food out, for the wild birds. Well - the one I did this morning - lets just say, it was pretty manky !!

It was really caked on & very, very smelly !! But - I did the deed & now B is putting bleach every where, to try and keep me away from any more bugs !! To explain..... which, once again, if I've written this before.... well, skip ahead again !!

As you will all know, I was taken poorly, a week or two back & I had to spend the week, in a little room, in one of the hospitals, in Exeter. It was all a little freaky, but......

I had a letter, from the Consultant, who looked after me..... and it turns out, I had a really nasty e-coli bug, living in my back wound - hence, I felt like crap & the Dr's there, in the hospital, wanted to keep me isolated, in my little room !! I'm glad he explained it all to me....... it's always good, to actually have an answer, when things go wrong !!

I still have Ace - my latest vac pump, attached to me..... and, to be very honest, it hurts like heck !! Very, very painful !! So much so, that yesterday I went down early, to see my local Dr. - with an idea, of getting his views, on taking Ace off...... he wasn't too happy, with that plan !!

So, yesterday afternoon, I had to go back to the hospital, this time, to have the vac dressings changed. I really had hoped, to lose the blooming thing, but - as I still have a hole, in my back.... I have to either put up with the pain or - dump the thing & risk things going wrong again !! Oh well...... moving on, to the music of the moment !!

As My Wife & Dearest Friend.... B... has put up, with me playing a few albums, by Yes - I've put a live Billy Joel concert in the machine, to try & make her smile !! It's from BJ's 1987 trip to Russia & the tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Odoya
  2) Prelude/Angry Young Man
  3) Honesty
  4) The Ballad Of Billy The Kid
  5) She's Always A Woman
  6) Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
  7) Goodnight Saigon
  8) Stiletto
  9) Big Man On Mulberry Street
10) Baby Grand
11) What's Your Name
12) The Longest Time
13) An Innocent Man

CD 2

  1) Pressure
  2) Allentown
  3) A Matter Of Trust
  4) Only The Good Die Young
  5) It's Still Rock & Roll To Me
  6) Sometimes A Fantasy
  7) You May Be Right
  8) Uptown Girl
  9) Big Shot
10) Back In The USSR
11) The Times They Are A Changing
12) She Loves You
13) New York State Of Mine *
14) Piano Man

One thing about this concert - that I always remember... and that the video of the show & how the crowd reacted !! All very surreal... very, very strange - some people were dancing, some were headbanging (?) and some, just stood there, with sticks stuck up their butts, almost afraid to move, incase they got spotted !!

Staying with Russia.... it seems that Mr Puck-tin has made an appearance, after something like 10 days, or around that. This made the news, I don't know why - most of the World didn't miss him & the rest of the World assumed he was thinking about which Country his army could invade next !! Oh well...

I mentioned that I was playing a couple of Yes albums..... I won't bother you all, with all of the tracks... but, it was their 'Live In Amsterdam' 2 Cd set, from around 2001. It's the one they did, with an orchestra. I just wanted to listen to a couple of the longer tracks... 'Gates Of Delirium' & 'Ritual'.

I've got it, into my head, to put together another "mix-tape" type of thing, using up some old Cd's. I want, if possible, to just use the longer tracks, that Yes put out & which I seldom play !! I'm not really sure, how I'm going to go about it... maybe, I'll just put the tracks, on the Mini Egg... or, maybe, I'll just put them onto Cd's. Time will tell, I guess.....

Right - I better think about closing down, for now........ I want to do a couple of things, that I've let slip thru' my few brain cells & try & catch up a bit !! As usual, my computer table is a mess - sooooo, I ought to start by sorting that lot out !!

For now, as always - I thank you for logging in & reading my words.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Saturday, 14 March 2015

'Snicker-Doodle cookies ?!

Hail & Greetings World's !!

It's another Saturday, here in England's South-West corner..... it's not too cold outside - but, here in our living room, we have the fire lit & it's really kind of toasty !! As I type, B is over to my left, in her rocking chair, doing a crafty sort of robin ?!

We went into town, a while back.... it was kind of mad !! People, here, there & everywhere !! I struggle, with crowds, as it is - let alone, when we're just trying to get to different shops & nobody takes any notice, of the person, minding his own business - in a wheelchair - just trying to get by !!

It wasn't sooooo bad - nobody actually collided with me !! In the past, I had people - usually on the their 'phones, texting away  - walk right up to me, before realizing I'm sat right there, in front of them !! One day, I'm going to let them, whoever, actually trip over me..... I'm sure to get the blame, but - it would be fun !!

As for the main reason, for going into town.... I wanted to get a quote, to have my "Wow !!" poster framed. It's still in it's container - all rolled up - and, I need to sort out a frame for it soon, or else it's going to a complex... all alone, in it's cardboard tube !!

There is a really good, picture framing shop, in the town - it did a frame, to go with the picture Lady V & Sir J gave me, back in 2013, when they visited us. Anyhoo - we went to the shop, in the week & asked the lady - who claims to own the place, for her cheapest price, for a poster size picture...

.... I didn't think it was too much to ask. Unfortunately, the lady refused to give a quote & insisted that we took the picture in, so that she could sort something out for me.

We tried to go in, on Thursday - only to find the place was shut.... so, we went back in, this morning. This time around, the shop was open, but - the lady, mentioned above, wasn't there !! No big deal - I went in & B followed, bringing my chair with her. I wasn't prepared to leave my little chariot, out on the pavement..... it's the sort of thing that would easily disappear, if you get my meaning ?!

After warning the lady, that the poster was not for the faint of heart + it was all mine, so I wasn't breaking any copyright laws...... we took it out of it's container & had it all measured up.

I thought, that it was 24 inches, by 36 inches..... it was quite a bit wider, sooooo my calculations completely wrong. However - I was pretty close to guessing the reason why the lady refused to give me a quote, that was the cost !!

The cheapest price, that the lady would give me.... well, just about £100 !! Ok - it was £99 and a bit, but I'm not going to worry about the odd penny or two. Neither am I going to worry about getting my poster framed there !! £100 - just have a poster framed.... I might be getting thicker & thicker, as the days go by.... but !!

I'll try & get a ready made frame, from one of the other shops....... I'm not going to pay that much tho'. It might be the "Wow !!" picture..... but, paying that much, would be slightly more than "Wow !!" & that's a fact !! Oh well...... moving on...

As mentioned, B...... My Wife & Dearest Friend" is sat, over to my left. & with a couple of cats, up on the bed, that completes the house hold part of the family. I know ME - our Daughter - is working today... but, as tomorrow is Mother's Day... well, we might see the M & M's then. Time will tell, I guess.

As for the music of the moment... well, I'm playing another Allman Brothers concert. I won't bother you all, with a track listing.... but, it's from their 1971 'At Fillmore East' album. The very first album, that I ever bought by the band !! I had heard a couple of tracks, by them, on a 3 Lp compilation album, but - this was the first time I had heard a whole album by them..... and, all these years later, I'm still listening to it & enjoying every last bit of it !!

One album, that I was given this week, was Led Zeppelin's re-issue of 'Physical Graffiti'. B bought it, for me, as an anniversary pressy. It's like the original album, just with an extra disc. The tracks are:

CD 1

1) Custard Pie
2) The Rover
3) In My Time Of Dying
4) Houses Of The Holy
5) Trampled Under Foot
6) Kashmir

CD 2

1) In The Light
2) Bron-Yr-Aur
3) Down By The Seaside
4) Ten Years Gone
5) Night Flight
6) The Wanton Song
7) Boogie With Stu
8) Black Country Woman
9) Sick Again

CD 3

1) Brandy & Coke
2) Sick Again
3) In My Time Of Dying
4) Houses Of The Holy
5) Everybody Makes It Through
6) Boogie With Stu
7) Driving Through Kashmir

Ok - I'm a big Led Zeppelin fan... but !! How many versions of the same tracks, do we really need ?! I for one have all of these "bonus" tracks, at least once - maybe twice, in my collection - as would any Zeppelin fan, worth his salt !! Sooooo, if you're new, to all of the bands back catalog, here's your chance to catch up.... if you were hoping for a really good, soundboard recording, of one of their 1975 tour.... well, you are out of luck !!

It's great, to have it in the collection.... but, come on guys - give us one of the many live shows, that obviously exist, mainly as you can get them, at nearly every record fair, held in the country !!

As always - don't buy bootlegs, buy the official stuff instead.... even if, like me, you already have a couple copies of it !! Moving on...

B has asked me, if anybody could give her the recipe, for making something called 'Snicker- Doodle cookies ?! I have no idea, what they actually are.... but, if anybody can help, I would be very grateful !!

Ok - my plans, for the rest of the day....

We are gradually watching all 4 seasons, of 'Game Of Thrones'. We are on season 3, at the moment.... so, it's been a lot of fun - catching up stuff, that sometimes, we missed first time around !! With season 5 starting in April (I think) I should be able to buy the box set, oh... I don't know, maybe around this time, next year !! Once again - time will tell....

For now tho' - I will be on my ways. I thank you all, for taking the time, to log in & read my words... as always.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

Live Oak April 11th 2014..... Ho-hum

Greetings World's !!

It's another Wednesday, here in the wilds of England's South-West !! It's not too cold... but, looking out of the window, it's very misty & stuff. I'll poke my head outside, at some point... just to see if it's too cold or anything like that !!

As for now tho' - I'm sat in the living room, writing these few words, to you guys.... whoever you might be, around the World !! For the record, it's about 10am..... and the TV is full of Jeremy Clarkson !! It seems that he threw a punch at a producer, or somebody & the BBC have decided not to show a few of the 'Top Gear' TV programmes !!

"Wow" - that's World shattering news ?! Come on Auntie Beeb.... there are other things happening in the World, way beyond Jeremy Clarkson ego !! Oh well - that's life I guess !!

As for the family...

My Wife & Dearest Friend, is upstairs.... working on some housework. I think she is in our bedroom, at the moment. I'm not sure - but, I seem to think that our Daughter - ME - might be around later. I'm not 100% sure about that - it's probably just a thought, that I have..... stuck, someplace, in my brain !!

A few days back - between the 3 of us....... B, ME & myself..... we came to a decision, about J's bedroom & what to do with it !!

As our Son - J - has not been home, since Christmas of 2013 - I have decided to leave his room, as it is, until Christmas of this year. If he still hasn't come back, to spend any time, with us, I will dismantle his bed & move it into B's "Craft Cave".

From there, the whole "Craft Cave" can move over to J's room...... it's bigger & B will have more room, to spread her bit & bobs out !!

That seems fair, to me at least !! After all - if J wants to live, some place else, that's up to him !! But - we can not & will mot, leave his room the way it is !! I won't be dumping anything, but.... we have to move on with our lives & that means, by Christmas..... well, we will see how things go, I guess !!

Going back, to yesterday..... I had a new vac pump fitted !! We've decided to call this one "Ace" !! It fits his name, really nicely, as he is really small & easy to get along with - even if it did keep waking B up, last night !!

I slept like a log - not B tho'.... it kept sending out alarm noises & B heard most of them !! I'll have to try & find a way, to shut them off !! It won't hurt, for it to pack up, over night.... but, I don't want anybody being woken up !!

Going back, to J's bedroom. I'm tempted, to build a really good model railway, in there !! I've not had the chance, to build a model, in the house, for a goodly number of years - sooooo...... it's very tempting !! It's all up to J - if he wants to come home at all !!

Moving on, to the music of the moment...

I'm playing one of the 2014 Allman Brothers concerts, that came over the last week. Today, it's the turn of their 'Wanee Music Festival' show, from 11th April. The first of two shows, that they played there. The tracks are:

CD 1

1) Statesboro' Blues
2) Midnight Rider
3) No One To Run With
4) Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home
5) Jessica

CD 2

1) Who's Been Talking
2) Franklin's Tower
3) The Sky Is Crying - You Don't Love Me

CD 3

1) Soulshine
2) In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
3) JaMaBuBu
4) In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed - Reprise
5) Southbound

Ok - I've cut out all of the announcements, made from the stage, about who was guesting on various tracks..... just leaving the music tracks. It might not seem like many - but, with 6 of them, clocking in at over the 10 minute mark... well, I think it's value for money !!

Moving on.....

I'm hoping that, the latest Led Zeppelin re-release, 'Physical Graffiti' will reach me, today. Out of all of the re-releases, this is the one, that I'm really wanting to hear !! I know, I have various versions of it - at least 4 or 5 - but, I really wanted this one !! As I say - hopefully, it will get here today !! Time will tell, I guess !!

As for my other plans, for today......

We've been watching all of the 'Game Of Thrones' !! Back to back episodes, one season after another !! Well, that's been down here - upstairs, we've been watching  season one of 'House' !! I don't really know, how we got started on the latter. but it's all my fault !!

I was going thru' a bundle of DVD, that for some reason, had been put behind me, in with my various Cd's. I found the 4 'Kingdom Hospital' DVD's plus 'House' - so, that's why it's upstairs and why we're watching it !!

Today, I intend watching some more 'G Of T's' plus, maybe have a quick trip into town.... I have to sort out a few things first tho'...... I'll see how things work out !!

For now tho' - I must be on my ways. I can see a pile of washing up, with my name on it & I must do my bit, to help tidy the house up !!

As always, I thank you all for logging in & reading my words.... wherever you might be, in the World.... until next time...

Bye Bye

Monday, 9 March 2015

Edgar Froese RIP......

Greeting's World's !!

I've just realised, I've not posted any thing, since last Wednesday !! That's very tardy of me !! Sooooo - I hope you will forgive me & put it all down, to being tired, a little unwell + I have just let the days slip by !! Sorry about that !!

Today, well - it's another Monday...... and I'm home alone, for while at least...

B - My Wife & Dearest Friend - has gone into town, to meet up with one of the ladies, from their carers support group. B did tell me her name - but, with my lack of brain cells, it was soon forgotten !! Nevermind...

I did plan, on staying in bed, for a while.... to try & catch up on some sleep..... but, apart from a an odd 30 minutes or so, I couldn't sleep - I really couldn't !! So - I decided to come down the stairs & do a few chores & little things like that. I have a bowl full of dishes, that I need to wash off.... plus, I've broken up some wood, to get the fire lit.

It's not that cold, but - while I'm not firing on all thrusters, I enjoy having the fire, lit & giving off a bit of warmth !! Plus - I think, in a previous life, I might have been a fire starter !! Oh well....

Going back, to last Thursday - it was our wedding anniversary.... and, for a bit of fun, I booked the 4 of us, into a local pub - where we had a really lovely meal !!

By "the 4 of us" - I mean B, ME & her partner M.... plus, of course, myself !! I decided a couple of days before, that I was going to have a big meal..... and it worked out pretty well, really !! We sat down, at about 8pm & the food was really good !! By 10pm, probably earlier, we were back in the house & all feeling a little stuffed !! Never mind......

It's a shame, that our Son - J - wasn't here... he might have liked coming along with us. He is - as far as I know, still living over in West Wales.... doing the whole Uni thing. As far as I'm concerned, if that's where he wants to stay - so be it !! It's his life, after all......

If he doesn't come home, by - probably next Christmas - I will try & convert his room, from a "bed room" - into either a craft room, for B to expand into.... or, if I'm very lucky, maybe I'll set up another train layout !!

J last came home, at Christmas 2013..... so, by this Christmas, it will be 2 whole years, since we last saw him. Sooooo - I think, after 2 years, we will assume, that he is not coming back & (B & I)  we will move on from there !! Time will tell, I guess...... moving on, to the music of the moment....

As some of you may know, Edgar Froese past away, on January 20th...... he was 70 years old. If you have no clue, who I'm going on about...

Edgar Froese was the real mainstay of Tangerine Dream. I've read, that the band released over 100 albums.... I can well believe it !! Anyhoo - to mark his passing, I'm playing a concert, from 10 years ago, which was recorded at 'The Shepherd's Bush Empire' in London, on June 11th 2005. Not quite 10 years ago - but.... the tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Ricochet Pt. 1
  2) Phaedra '05
  3) Mysterious Semblance Of The Strand Of Nightmares
  4) Rubycon Pt. 1
  5) Force Majeure
  6) Desert Dream
  7) Underwater Twilight
  8) Warsaw In The Sun
  9) Midnight In Tula
10) Silver Scale
11) Logos
12) Choronzon
13) Poland

CD 2

  1) Song Of The Whale Pt. 2/Pt. 3
  2) Oriental Haze
  3) Bridge
  4) Towards The Evening Star (Blue Gravity Mix)
  5) Catwalk
  6) Melrose
  7) Back Street Hero
  8) Rising Haul In Silence
  9) Lamb With Radar Eyes
10) Meta Morph Magic

CD 3

1) Talking To Maddox
2) Homeless
3) Purple Haze

Ok - at just shy of 3 hours in length, this does take a bit of listening to - but, it's well worth it !! I think, the 'Purple Haze' thing, at the end... well - why not ?! It's all music.....

Which reminds me - I've received another 9 Allman Brothers concerts, since I last put finger to keyboard !! At some point, I will get around to playing them - it'll take a while, but... !! 9 concerts "Wow !!"

I still have 2 to go, plus the 2014 box, to put them in, great stuff !!

I was thinking, about going down to the record fair, in Exeter, on Saturday. As it turned out, we didn't make the trip. It would of been nice, to meet up with some old friends, but.... !! Maybe next time around - I'll see how the cash flow goes, plus how well I feel !!

Talking of which...

Tomorrow, around 12 noon, I'm being fitted up with another vac pump. I think that will be number 6 - or even 7 - I've lost count of the things !! I know, that "Spock" was the one, that I was fitted with, in the hospital, in Exeter..... sooooo, I will have to think of another name, for this new one !!

I had to go, to the hospital, in town, yesterday.... mainly as my dressings were getting a bit of a pain. It was Ok tho' - I met up with one of the nurses, that we both knew, so that was Ok !! It's always nicer, when I know the nurse.... I don't feel so uneasy !!

Plus - because of the dressings being changed yesterday - it meant that I could skip today !! Great stuff - hopefully, the new vac pump will do as I want & gradually heal the wound !! Actually, I should say - help to heal the wound !!

Right - I best be on my ways - I don't really have much to do.... but, I just need to sit back for a while & relax my back, in the comfy chair !! Plus - I've started to watch 'Game Of Thrones' all over again.... starting with episode one, season one !! Season 4 was really good.... hopefully, if all goes well, the M & M's will record season 5 for me !!

I'll still buy the box set, when it comes out - next year, I guess - but.... it would be good, to watch number 5, as soon as I can..... it's got a hook in me now !! Must be on my ways...

I thank you all, for taking the time to log in & read my words..... until next time..

Bye Bye

Thursday, 5 March 2015

'Beyond The Sun' by Neal Morse.

Somewhere, beyond the Sun
I'll hear your voice again
When these few days are gone
I'll see you smile again

And we will live forever
When all is joined together
And we will live each day
Beyond the Sun

And we come up & blink our eyes
And down we go
And much of life, we barely understand
Touching down, our Spirits sing
And then we're gone
Leaving just a hand print in the sand

But, somewhere. beyond the Sun
I'll hear your voice again
When these few days are gone
I'll see your smile again

And we will come as children
Like music from the Heaven's
And I will see your face again
Beyond the Sun

My thank's to the guys in Transatlantic....... these are not my words - I've taken them from the bands 'KaLiveoscope' 3 Cd set. Go out & buy yourself a copy, it's one of the best live albums of the last year, well - to me at least !!

Their song 'Beyond The Sun' - written by Neal Morse - has been one of those songs, that has really put a hook in me. To listen to it, while laying on my hospital bed, last week...... well, the "hook" just went deeper !!

A fantastic song - as is all of Transatlantic's work..... go out & buy yourself a copy - don't make me come over & buy it for you !!

I'm home alone today - B & ME have gone up to visit her Dad & Aunt..... we're all going out for a meal tonight, sooooo that should be good. I wish J was here - to join in with our little celebration..... maybe one day.

I thank you all, for logging in & reading my words...... especially my reader over in Italy.... until next time..

Bye Bye

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Mr Spock & a brilliant concert !!

Well "Greetings" World's !!

How are your Universes treating you, this fine March day?! It's not too bad here, in the South-West of England.... blooming cold, but bright & Sunny - so, that's a bonus !! I hate the cold, but when it's wet, as well !! It just eats it's way into my old bones !!

Right - onwards !!

It's a Wednesday & too be perfectly honest, I don't know where to start !! It's been a while, since I posted anything - well, anything "normal" !! Heck - what is normal, anyway ?! Sooooo, I'll give a quick catch-up & go from there !!

About 10 days ago, I wasn't feeling too special & after a couple of visits, to have my dressings changed - plus, a few concerned comments from various nurses & my local Dr'..... well, I landed up, back in hospital !!

Unfortunately - it was the hospital, down in Exeter.... so, that meant I was pretty much on my own. B did come down, a goodly number of times.... but, it wasn't like being in a hospital, close to home, where we could see each other, everyday !! Nevermind..... I had most of what I needed, so - apart from missing the family, it was, sort of, Ok.

The first few days, I wasn't really "firing on all thrusters" - so, those days went by kind of slowly. I wasn't able to do very much, as I had various drips & med's stuck into me.... but, I had the Mini Egg & I was able to really listen to some albums, that over the months, I've kind of missed.

It was kind of brilliant tho' - having to lay, on my bed - in my own private room - and just blast music thru' my headphones !! More than once, I would put something on... only to wake up, a few hours later, listening to something completely different !!

I went, into the hospital, on the Monday - by the Friday night, I had the news that I really wanted to hear. After a few tests, the Consultant gave me the "all clear" on not having cancer !! That was a relief !!

I knew, on the day, after going into the hospital, that they had decided to do a few tests, to check it all over again.... but, I decided to keep B in the dark, about it. It was one thing, that I didn't want her to have to worry about, on top of everything else !!

Talking of My Wife & Dearest Friend... she has gone into town, to meet up with ME & to do some shopping. I've decided - to avoid the town, until I'm feeling a little stronger (not the right word) in myself. I still feel a little knackered....

Tomorrow night, if all goes to plan - I've booked a table, at a local pub & the 4 of us are going out for a meal. It's our wedding anniversary & I'm so grateful, to be home again - and I wanted to give B & the M & M's a little "thank you".... for everything they have done, over the past few weeks, running to & fro' the hospitals !! Hopefully, things will work out !!

I called ME up & asked if she would be interested on coming along, with partner M.... once she said "yes" - I got on the 'phone, to the pub & booked it all up. The plan was to keep it all a secret - but, I knew B was going out, to visit her Dad & Aunt, tomorrow, so - I had to kind of tell her, just incase she got back late, or had a big lunch... well, anything really !!

Sooooo - that's been my week & a bit !!

The infection, that I was taken into hospital with, has all but gone.... I'm pleased to say & I'm looking ahead, to tomorrow night & the weekend !! It record fair time again folks !!

Ok - I know, it means another trip to Exeter !! This time, however, we can have a bit of fun & look around the shops & stuff, as well as meeting up with old friends !! I will not have any cash, to spend on personal goodies, but.... it will just be good, to get out & about the City, instead of looking out out of a hospital window & watching it from there !!

Staying with music......

I have often thought, that there can not be anything "out there" - that will get to me & make me go "Wow !!" Once again - I have been shown, that there is still great music to be had, even if it's by someone, or a band, that I've listened to, for more than a few years. Once more - the Allman Brothers have been there, to lift my spirits !!

Just before going into the hospital, the band's last concert, reached me from Lady V & Sir J over in America, at 'Hittin' The Note'. I didn't really listen to it, until I was stuck in bed.... but, was it ever worth the wait !!

It is one of those all time concerts, one that lifts you up & brings you back down again - leaving you in the knowledge, that what you have just heard was something more than a little special !!

The tracks are:

CD 1

  1) Little Martha
  2) Mountain Jam
  3) Don't Want You No More
  4) It's Not My Cross To Bear
  5) One Way Out
  6) Good Morning Little School Girl
  7) Midnight Rider
  8) The High Cost Of Low Living
  9) Hot 'Lanta
10) Blue Sky
11) You Don't Love Me

CD 2

1) Statesboro' Blues
2) Ain't Wastin' Time No More
3) Black Hearted Woman
4) The Sky Is Crying
5) Dreams

CD 3

1) Don't Keep Me Wonderin'
2) Stage Banter
3) In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
4) JaMaBuBu
5) In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed - Reprise

CD 4

  1) Melissa
  2) Revival
  3) Stage Banter
  4) Southbound
  5) Mountain Jam - Reprise
  6) Will The Circle Be Unbroken
  7) Mountain Jam - Reprise
  8) Crowd Noise
  9) Whipping Post
10) Crowd Noise
11) Farewell
12) Trouble No More

It's from the band's farewell concert, at the Beacon Theatre in New York & was recorded on October 28th 2014. It really is a brilliant bit of history - well, if you're a music fan, that is !! Buy yourself a copy & you will no doubt, never regret that you did...... it's really special !!

I've probably listed all of the tracks before - when it came, in the post... but, as I say - this was the first time, that I really heard it, when I was just laying on the bed. Brilliant !!

Ok - one other thing... Mr Spock died !! As a token - I named my last vac pump after him....... I had to have one, while I was in the hospital, sooooo - it seemed really fitting !!

I must go...... if anybody gets to read these words, I thank you for your time & for logging in... until next time...

Bye Bye

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Me, Myself and I......

Hello number 2 !! I've not seen you, for a while !!

Hello number 1 !!

Where have you been number 2 ?

Well, number 1 - I've been, sort of, locked into a room... where my every need was tended to !!

WOW !! number 2, that sounds like my kind of jail... how did you pull that off ?!

Unfortunately number 1 - it's a kind of "death-row" type of place.

"Death-row" ?! Number 2 - we don't have the death sentence in England !! Mind you, I agree, some people would like to see it brought back !!

No number 1 you don't understand !! Just because we don't kill people, for their crimes, "death-row" still exists !!

Well "Hi guys" - where have you been, I've missed the 2 of you.

Hi number 3 - I've just been telling number 2, that we no longer have "death-row" here in England - but he claims that's where he's been !!

Don't be dumb number 1 - of course we have a "death-row" system !! I've been there to one myself, sooooo I know they exist. Infact - I thought I saw the 2 of you there, at the same time that I was there !!

What number 3 - I've never been to any place like that, even if my every need was going to be looked after !!

Number 1

Yes number 3

You were there - I saw you.....unfortunately, you were sooooo sick, you probably don't remember !!

SICK.... how dare you ?! I suppose you're going to tell me I was there, because you saw me there, as well number 2 ?!

Yes, I did number 1... don't you remember any of it ?!

Wait 2 & 3... you might be right !!

We are number 1 !!

Don't you remember - we had to go into the hospital, on the Saturday, because the wound was so bad. I was there, with the both of you !! Then, on the Sunday, number 1, things got sooooo bad, we went back to the hospital & the ladies there told us, that the 3 of us had to go back, to the hospital, in Exeter.... so that, the surgeons there, could check the wound.

Being number 3, I didn't want to go....... but, I had to think of the 2 of you !!

Number 1

Yes number 3 ?

You were admitted on the Monday and by the time that Wednesday came around, number 2 was there, as well, in what he thought was his little "cell".

It wasn't a "cell" - I'm starting to remember number 3 !! It was a room, with all that I needed....... loo, shower, TV... free 'phone calls and everything, that I needed !! I was put there, to avoid getting more infections !!

I guess you could call it whatever you want....... it was a kind of "cell". One room, one bathroom & one window. There were some birds, outside.

I know, number 2. I was there, by the Saturday. If you remember, B came over to the hospital - the 100 mile round trip, to visit us !!

I'm sorry guys, I'm still having a problem, taking all of this in !! Why is it - that number 2 can remember things & I can't ?! Don't try & pull the wool over my eyes.... I'm number 1 !! I should remember all of this !!

True number 1, but remember........ you are number 1, because you are "Me". As such, you go first everytime. Is it becoming clearer to you number 2 ?

Yes number 3..... I just keep forgetting, that I am "Myself" - number 2 in our band. I always remember more than number 1, but less than you number 3.

And why is that guys ?

Because we are as one... "Me, Myself & I"

Where one goes, we all go.......

.......until next time...

Bye Bye