Pink Floyd, Church & Wet Weather !!

Well Greetings Worlds !!

How is your bit of Internet space treating you today ?!  It's been a very wet & windy night, here in England !!  The reports, from around the County, have trees down, roads flooded & train lines washed underwater !! Not good - so, as I have nothing better to do, I'm staying here in the warm...

Actually - that's not 100% true.  I'm expecting a parcel today.... and as they couldn't give me an exact time of arrival, I have to wait for it. No big deal - I knew it was coming, so I didn't plan to do very much.

B has gone into town tho' - mainly to put some cash in the bank & go to the gym...... she couldn't decide on when to go, so went for an early morning trip - rather than later on.  By early morning - it's about 10.30am here, so not too early really !!

As I type - ME & M - who spent the night - are sat on the couch, playing with her new 'ipad' thingy.  ME treated herself to it yesterday - out of her first months real pay packet !!  A sort of gift to herself, for graduating Uni & getting a job, and everything that goes with it.  I don't blame her - she has worked hard to get where she is now !!

They have also just cooked their breakfast - so, the house smells of hot food !!  Here's hoping they clean up after themselves...... it's not too bad - just a bit of a mess !!

So - that just leaves J & my good self..... he is upstairs & - as you can tell - I'm here typing these words to you..... onwards !!

The music of the moment is Pink Floyd's 'Live At Hollywood Bowl' concert from 1972.  I found this tape, on the net, over the weekend & it's sooooo much better than the old Lp version !!  Along with the LA show, from 1975 - well, I've upgraded 2 of my concert collection !!

Also, on TV - I'm recording a video of.... well, I'm not sure what it's called.  It's something like 'A Celebration At Big Sur' - or something like that !!  Anyhoo - it's a concert thingy, that happened back in 1969 or 1970 and I've had it on video for many years...... so, it's about time I put it onto DVD !!

Yesterday, B & I went over to Church.... and I'm glad we did !!  Not only did we have a very productive meeting with the Bishop, but... we have 2 new & extra Missionaries !!  To explain.....

Our local Church has expanded so much - not so much in numbers, more in area - so, it's been decided that we have been given, or to give us, 2 extra Missionaries, to help.  So, yesterday, the 2 girls introduced themselves & generally said "Hello" to everybody.

The upside of this - apart from 2 new faces - is that the guys, who have been here a little while, have been given a car & can now go & visit people, who like us, live way out of town !!  Their first visit to us, will happen on Thursday.... so, that should be good !!

As mentioned - we also had a meeting with the Bishop.... as I guessed, about going up to Temple.  We put our views over to him, about how things just haven't happened for us.... and if we were going to go, it would of been a year or so back.  Well, thinking about it it - it would of been 4 years back !!  Quite a while really !!

In the end - he said he is going to get things moving, for us & see what can be done.  As for myself - well, if it happens, it happens.... I am not going to worry myself over it, I really am not !!  We've been here before - promises about going to Temple, with-out anything coming of it.... so, I won't hold my breath waiting for it to happen !!

I've kind of put them - The Church - on the spot, over this.  I've said, to the Bishop, that - if this is going to happen, I want it to happen very soon.  Not only because of wanting to go - but, wanting to go, before my health gets any worse than it is !!  I don't think that's too much to ask for ?!

So - we'll see what happens now..... I'm not going to hold my breath & that's for sure.... but, I think, if it doesn't happen this time around.... well, it won't happen !!  Time will tell....

I've just changed the music, over to Canned Heat's 'Historical Figures & Ancient Heads' album.... one of my favourites !!

Staying with music... I have another Zeppelin concert, from September 24th 1971 - the bands second night in Tokyo.  It's on 3 Cd's & the tracks are:

CD 1

1) Immigrant Song
2) Heartbreaker
3) Since I've Been Loving You
4) Black Dog
5) Dazed & Confused

CD 2

1) Stairway To Heaven
2) Celebration Day
3) That's The Way
4) Going To California
5) Tangerine
6) What Is & What Should Never Be
7) Moby Dick

CD 3

1) Whole Lotta Love
2) Thank You
3) Communication Breakdown

Two things about this concert.... it's really recorded well !!  For an audience recording, it's well good.  Plus - altho' I don't have recordings of every concert the band did, this is the only one (that I know of) which has a live version of 'Your Time Is Gonna Come'.  It's tucked away in the 'Whole Lotta Love' medley.... but, it's worth having this concert, just for that !!

The Japanese tours have always been some of the best, that I have...... and this one concert must rate very high on my all time play list !!  As always, don't buy bootlegs - buy all the official stuff.... more another time !!

Right - my plans for now..... I have to wait for the parcel to reach me, plus I'm hoping a Cd will reach me today, as part of B's birthday gifts.  It only came out today - so, hopefully it will get here !!  The bad part is - with my brain - I can't remember what it's called !!  Oh well....

Last week, the brand new Sandi Thom album got here & B really likes that one.  I'm glad she did - I was a bit worried it would be too bluesy for her, but it's gone down well !!  Anyhoo - hopefully the new one will get here today.... I'll have to wait & see really !!

So - that's my day.... stay here & wait for the postman....... sounds like a plan really !!  it's not much - but, hey... it's all I've got.... until next time....

Bye Bye

Walk Don't Run & other stuff.....

Well Hello There !!

It's another Wednesday, here in England & It's not been too bad a day - weather wise.  As I type, the Sun is out & there are patches of blue sky, along side big puffy white clouds.  I think it's heading towards rain tomorrow.... but, we will have to wait & see how it goes..

The music of the moment is the fantastic 'Refried Boogie' by Canned Heat..... it's on their 1968 'Living The Blues' album & it brings back a lot of old memories for me.

There was this old shop, in the town where I was (sort of) born..... it was run by this Husband & Wife - both of who seemed really old to me at the time !!  Anyhoo - when I was a young teenager, I would go in there & order up singles & albums.  In fact, it's fair to say - I spent nearly all of my money in that shop !!

I would go in there & order a Lp & the lady would let me put money aside, each week - until it was paid for.  As she got to know me, more & more, she would let me bring the records home & I would go back each week & pay up what I owed !!

At the time, I guess, I was about 12 years old & had a part time job in a shop.... which was good, because it was right across the street from the record store !!  So - I would work there, after school, in the week & on Saturdays...... when I got paid, I would go right over & pay off my debts !!

This album - 'Living The Blues' - was the first double Lp I ever bought..... and I remember, sitting in the shop, listening to it...... with a guy I vaguely new, but who like the same sort of music as me.  After I had listened to it, she put it to one side & I paid for it over the following weeks !!  That explains why I didn't have any money when I grew up - it all went into my record collection !!  Ah - the memories !!

More music later...

As for the family.... B is out at her gym class, ME is working until 8pm & will get home around 1 hour later, which leaves J here keeping an eye on me - to make sure I don't get into any trouble or problems.

J had to go into town earlier, so B drove him in & I went along for the ride.  I didn't do anything - just stayed in the car, while they went off doing what they had to do !!  No - I lie - I did go into one shop, as they had printer ink on offer & it was too good a chance to miss.

One thing of interest, from our trip..... while I was sat waiting for B, I got talking to another wheelchair user.  He was getting back to his car & I asked him if he needed any help with his chair........ I'm not sure exactly what I could of done to help him, but... !!

We got talking & it was amazing how much we had in common.  Both of us agreed how much people seem to misunderstand over our cash benefits - the ones we get from the state each week.  Like myself, he gets really mad at people, who seem to think we get this fantastic amount of cash each week - or they think we get such a massive amount, that we're a bunch of scroungers !!  By that, I mean - we get money for nothing....  As I said to him - we didn't choose to be this way, to get sick & need a wheelchair to get around.

Oh well.... it was good to meet someone I could talked to, who really is in the same position as myself !!  I'll probably see him about, so at least I can say "Hi" the next time... maybe he'll remember me - if I'll remember him, well... me & my brain !!

I mentioned yesterday, about maybe going into Taunton... well, I think we'll be heading that way tomorrow.  We didn't really have enough time today - so, I think tomorrow will be easier.  B does have to be back here by mid-afternoon... but, that will still give us plenty of time to get in & have a look around !!

More than enough time to go & look in the couple of music shops - maybe see something of interest !!  I will let you know what, if anything I come home with !!  I shouldn't buy anything really !! Today, in the post, I had a 2 Cd set by Marillion arrive..... I seem to be playing a lot of their stuff over the last few days !!  Anyhoo - the set that came today contained 2 of their albums..... 'Real to Reel' & 'Brief Encounter'.  I had both of these before.. I actually still have the first one on a cassette.... and it was a way of replacing them on Cd.

I'll probably give the cassette to our friend.... he is a mad collector of all things by Marillion, so he might like it for his collection !!  It's a pre-recorded thing.... so, as it still plays fine, he might enjoy having
it !!

So - the question must be... if it still plays, why replace it ?!  Because I'm me & that's the only answer I've got !!

Just staying with music - I have another Zeppelin concert, from August 22nd 1971...... the 2nd of 2 nights they played in Los Angeles.  I wrote about the first one last night, so the tracks on the 2nd one are:

CD 1

  1) Walk Don't Run
  2) Immigrant Song
  3) Heartbreaker
  4) Since I've Been Loving You
  5) Black Dog
  6) Dazed & Confused
  7) Stairway To Heaven
  8) Celebration Day
  9) That's The Way
10) What Is & What should Never Be

CD 2

1) Moby Dick
2) Whole Lotta Love
3) Communication Breakdown
4) Organ Solo - Thank You

It's great concert - starting off with the old Ventures tune 'Walk Don't Run'..... I was told that this was played, as a kind of tribute, to one of The Ventures band members, who (it seems) was spotted in the crowd.  Not sure how true that story is - but, it makes for an interesting start to the concert !!  As always, don't buy bootlegs - buy the official stuff !!  More another time....

I've just seen a search & rescue helicopter..... it's out over the coast.... as yet, they still haven't found the body of the little boy.  He got swept out to sea, from one of the local beaches & - I guess - they're still looking for his body.  That kind of puts things into focus really......

I must away, for tonight..... thank you all for reading.. until next time...

Bye Bye

Greetings (Again) - Another Tuesday !!

Well Hello Worlds - how has your day been, this fine October morning !!

To be on the truthful side of things - it's actually just after noon as I type these words... so not really morning - if you follow me ?!!  Don't worry about it... I hardly understand myself these days,   never mind !!

Ok - enough of all this.... it is a nice day outside, tho' a little cold.  The sky is blue, the clouds are white & the sea (in the distance) is a nice shade of - well, grayish blue.  When I woke up, I had kicked the blankets off at some point & I was sooooooo cold !!  Still, it was a good motive to get up !!  B came up to the bedroom & got me dressed & that soon warmed me up !!

A few days ago, our electric blanket went & gave up - so, we have to get a new one sooner, rather than later.  That's probably why I was so cold, there was no heat in the room & I felt it - that's for sure !!

Anyways - I mention B, she has gone out to the gym for a class of some sort... she'll be home in an hour or so.  ME is out at Uni placement someplace & J is upstairs on his computer.  Our oldest cat is here sat beside me - being very cat-like !!  I'm not sure where the other two are..... most likely outside. Oh well......

As for the music of the moment - once again, it's the 'Woodstock' soundtrack, that I recorded  (for myself) a while back. Richie Havens & 'Handsome Johnny' is blasting out of the speakers !!  It's really loud - I better turn it down for a while, I think.... that's better !!

I can't really get over how well this recording came out !!  Sure, it's a transfer - from a DVD, to a Cd - but.... it's really better than I expected !!  To have the music, the music that I first heard 40 years ago, at my finger tips..... well, for me, it'll brilliant !!

I had bought the Lp's when they first came out - that's the three Lp set.... I knew it back to front !!  I remember the music press at the time (maybe the NME or Sounds) calling them 'Monster' Lp's - and they were !!  Three Lp's - all 'live' with some of the greatest groups of the 60' on them..... well, even now - something like that is pretty rare.... "back in the day" - it was unheard of !!  I was happy, just to have single Lp's or even a few two Lp sets.... but, three Lp's !!  Wow !!

So, knowing the Lp's so well, seeing the film for the first time & the extra bits of music - not on the recordings I had... well, I really wanted the extra's !!  Then of course, the thing came out (again) on DVD two years ago & - with even more extras - well.... it had to go onto Cd, it just had tooooooo !!  Now Canned Heat is playing & I've put the volume back up !!  Got to have a bit of a boogie !!

Yesterday - well, it was a real mish mash of music.... Gov't Mule, Gregg Allman... the Beach Boys, a real mish mash !!  I'm not sure why the Beach Boys got in there - it just happened at the time !!  Never mind !!  J gave me another Mule show - this time from 2009, in London, & I played that over....

It took me a long while, but last year, was the first year that Gov't Mule made any sense to me.  It was only watching the their 'Deepest End' live DVD - well, that's when the penny dropped !!  Now, I get every recording I can get by them... hopefully, if we go down to the record fair on Saturday, my friends will have some other stuff for me !!  As long as it's not tooooo expensive, I don't mind - it's all music folks !!

The cat I mentioned before... well, he has fallen asleep, on the floor, on his back, with all four feet in the air !!  It looks really awkward, but... that's the way he's laid out !!  Crazy - or maybe that's his way of enjoying the music ?!!  I still think it's crazy tho'.........

Tomorrow, I have to see one of my Consultants.... I hope we can sort something out about my tablets & sleep problems !!  Tho' last night wasn't too bad - I had to get up, but went back to sleep each time, so that was good.  But, hopefully we can sort it out a bit better.  I need my sleep folks & I prefer to do it at night, not partways thru' the day !!

I'm not sure if I mentioned it yesterday - but, I've got a new date for my next surgery !!  Yippeeeeee !!  But, it's not until the end of November - which, when I read it, felt a long ways ahead... but, it's really only six week, so....... not too bad really !!  Hopefully, well I'm sure.... it'll all be sorted & I'll be able to get it behind me by Christmas time.  I was getting concerned it was going to drag on into the new year !!  I'll let you know if things get altered - but, I hope not !!  I'm fed up with it now & I want to get on with things.......

We didn't get to Church again last Sunday - two days ago - so that was a drag..... but, as I explained to our home teacher, I just could not go... I wasn't well enough.  It's nice he e-mailed me, to see if we needed anything...... unlike others, who just seem to moan that we're not there, rather than asking "Why" ......

B had an e-mail from the Church this morning - some one (who I don't think I know) is moving home & wants a 'few things'..  The members of the Church tend to rally around, at times like these.  B wasn't too happy about it tho'.... not in any nasty way.... but, as she pointed out, when we needed one item, nobody came up & even offered help to get one - this new request is for a whole shed load of stuff !!

Sometimes, I find the Church very very hard work !!  I don't mean that in any nasty way, not even in a selfish way (tho' I know it might sound like that).... it's just very frustrating, at times.  I think that's the right word - I love the Church & it's teachings...... but, it is frustrating at times !!  As I've said before, it's not the Church - it's some of the people in the Church..... oh well,  life goes on & being a Christian isn't meant to be that easy !!

Changing the subject.... the Atlas, B let me have, is brilliant !!  I've been able to find lots of places - that I had heard of, but didn't really know where it was exactly.  For example, I had an e-mail from Lady V, at the Allman's site.... so I looked up where she was, in Atlanta.    It's Sandy Springs - I had heard of it, but didn't know where it was - now I do !!

Talking of places - my thanks to my new reader(s) in the East.... glad to know you're there & I hope you will continue to log in & read my words !!  It's amazing, how far away, people are reading these words - I thank you for your time, my friends !!  I will keep writing for as long & as often as I can..... as I've said before, keep reading, I might - just might - write something interesting !!

For now.... I must away - I might be back later, not sure really.... until then...

Bye Bye