T & R's Big Day !!

Hi Worlds - How are you all doing today ?!!

Today is a very special day - one of our best friends is getting married !!  So, to T & R - we wish you every happiness & all the blessings that God can give you....... I just wish we could be there with you !!  But, Utah is a little too far for me to travel this morning - so....... we'll send you our love instead !!

Actually - we would of really love to have been there & kept quiet, someplace outside - to go "BOO !!" as you came out !!  Never mind - we'll knock on your door one day guys !!

Ok - it's a Saturday here in England.... it's not a very nice day out side, but - in here, the smell of fresh baked pies & cakes is filling the air as I type !!  B is behind me - cooking for all her life !!  We have fresh mince pies, apple pie & I'm not sure what else...... if I could share it all with you, I would - just remember, mince pies are for life, not just for Christmas !!

So, I'm typing, B is baking & J is upstairs........ our Daughter (ME) is out at work today.  She left about 9am & I think she is staying at her boyfriends tonight.... so, we'll see her tomorrow sometime.  Her foot is still sore, from last night (read yesterdays post)..... but, off she went anyhoo......

Apart from the baking, it's been a quiet morning here... well, quiet, as in all I've done is dry a few dishes.  Music wise, it's been a very loud few hours !!  I've been playing varous Gov't Mule Cd's.... picking my favourite tracks as I've gone along.  I love the way they bring other peoples songs to life in their own little way !!  The music of the moment is the 3 Cd set I picked up at last weeks record fair - it's the first time I've heard most of it.... I've been playing far too much Rush this week !!

As for other plans this weekend - well.... we'll take it as it comes I guess.  Hopefully I'll be well enough to go to Church tomorrow, but - as my back is hurting like mad at the moment, I'll see what I'm like in the morning !!  I went to bed early last night & slept like a log.... unfortunately, waking up this morning wasn't so easy !!  Never mind.... it's another day & we're grateful for all we can have together.

B is going to be busy this week - she has me to deal with + there are a few meetings she will be involved in..... add to that, weight watchers & Christmas shopping - well, it's going to be hectic !!

Monday evening is the meeting to discuss the neighbours building plans - I still think they will get the go ahead, but.... there are sooooo many people against it, it will be interesting to see what will happen.  Even people from other roads in the village have logged complaints against it - so, we'll see......  If the worse comes to the worse, we can always upsticks & move house - but, that will be a very last resort !!  But, it's something to think about ....... as a very last resort !!

Oh well - that's it for now - I must away...... I've got lots of nothing to do & lots of time to do it in !!  My thanks to all of you who have logged in this week - keep reading !!  Until next time......

Bye Bye

Short & Sweet.......

Well "Hello" Worlds of Internet Space - how you'll hanging this evening ?!!

I just had a very weird moment with our Daughter - she was behind me in the kitchen.  Things went very quiet & I turned around, to see her sat on the floor, crying.  Bless her - a tin of something had fallen out of the pantry & landed on her toe !!  She was "suffering in silence" !!.... So, I gave her a hug & she has now gone up to her room to watch 'One Tree Hill' or something.  She might be just shy of her 21st birthday - but she is still my little girl !!

So - that leaves me down here on my own.... J is upstairs someplace & B has just gone out to another gym class.  Oh well - it's warm here & the music is loud enough to blow the cobwebs away !!

I was going to play the latest Glen Campbell CD - but, I've settled for Gov't Mule's 'Mulennium' 3 Cd set instead...... I wanted something I knew to blast me into the evening & bed !!  I will not be down here too much longer, this evening - I'm a little under the weather & besides..... I would rather be asleep at the moment !!

It's been a quiet sort of day - B & I did go into town earlier... mainly to get some stuff from ASDA.  It was either go in today, or leave it until the morning & put up with the Saturday crowds !!  Apart from that - well - as I say, it's been a quiet day !!  Haven't done much & have even less to write about.........

So, with my thanks for reading.... I know it's been short - but I'll try & make up for it next time... until then...

Bye Bye

Wet & Windy England......

Hi & Hello Everybody - I hope you're all doing well ?!!

It's a very wet & windy evening here in England - I've just looked out the door, to wave B (my Wife & Dearest Friend) off to the gym. I don't think she really wanted to go - but, last week, so few people showed up, she felt she needed to go - to sort of make up the numbers !!  Me, - I'll stay here in the warm !!

As for the rest of the family - J (our Son) is upstairs & ME (our Daughter) is on her ways home from work - I'm not sure what time she'll be home.... hopefully not too late !!  Ok, I know she's nearly 21, but I still worry about her !!

It's been a so-so sort of day really..... I had to go & see one of my Consultants - who seems happy enough with me, which is good !!  I have to go back & see her in early February - which is a bit of a bummer !!  It seems like, just as one year comes to a close, my Dr's are booking me for 2012... never mind - they are looking out for me & so I shouldn't moan about it.... well, not too much !!  In theory, I don't have to go & see her - but... I've got this far, so I may as well try & stay with it........

It was so wet & stuff in town, that B did all the running around... I stayed in the car.  Tho' - we did go into ASDA together - to pick up some food & stuff...... it was really crowded in there - I don't really know why.  Maybe we went on the wrong day of the week or the wrong time of day !!  We keep wondering how much more our food bill is going to get - it seems like every week it gets worse & worse !!  It's the same for everybody, I guess... oh well !!

When we got home, we had a great bit of news in the post........ one of our Dearest Friends in the World is getting married on Saturday !!  She sent us a fantastic picture of her & "her man" - we are soooooooo happy for the both of them !!  So - if you're reading this T & R.... have a good one !!  We wish we could be there with you, to celebrate your day - maybe standing outside to shout insults at you.... nooooooo, we wouldn't be that mean to you !!  God's love & our own to the pair of you !!  We wish you every happiness & more besides..........

I see also, my Russian friend has logged in today - & my American & German friends as well.... thanks for reading, I'm glad you are there !!  What started out as a bit of fun, has helped me theu' so much this past 18 months or so & I thank you for logging in, to read my words !!

Music wise - it's been a varied day.  Earlier, I was recording an old Perry Como Lp (over to Cd) for our friend in Church & now I'm playing the new Nightwish album !!  Come on - Perry Como to Nightwish - how varied can one day get ?!  We also pick up a copy of the latest Glen Campbell Cd - B wanted to give it a listen...... he has Alzheimer's decease (I think) & this could be his last album.  I'm not a big fan, but it's all music folks !!  Have been tested for the "Big A" earlier in the year, I know how weird that can all be - me, I'm Ok... I just don't remember stuff too well anymore !!  I guess I'm just getting old..... happens to us all !!

Like Lady V said - the Allman Brothers need to remember that & release some older live tapes !!  We'll buy them - you just have to release them guys !!  "Hi" to Lady V & Hubby J !!  My order will be in the pipeline right after the new year.... providing B doesn't kill me for even thinking about putting in another order !!  It's all music folks !!

How can an idiot like me, enjoy such great band as the Allman's & Gov't Mule - yet still bop along to Nightwish & Perry Como ?!!  I blame the drugs - but..........  it's my excuse & I'm sticking to it !!  It's a life & that's all that counts........

I mentioned a friends wedding....... which is kind of a strange thing.  It's 25 years ago today, that I flew over to America to be at another friends big day !!  That was so great - I had never met the couple before - I was 'pen friend' with M & she asked me over to her big day in 1986, as my year was soooo c**p !!

Bless her, she phoned me up & asked how I was .... then dropped in "Why don't you come to my wedding" !!  As I had no other plans, I check with work & went out to by a ticket to Boston.  Where I landed many hours later very tired & soooooo happy I was away from home !! The Wedding was soooo special & now that couple are our kids God parents !! 

I left my home imTaunton about 2am in the morning (UK time) and got to Bostom many hours later - but it was all worth the trip......... they won't be reading these words, but  I'm going to phone the 13th - to wish them all well !!  I know that girl & her old man - they saved my life that year !!  25 years - wow - I hope they are still together, I am soooo going to kick their butt if the have broken up & not told me !!

It's their little girls Birthday just after Xmas - so, as it's 21st & I'm her Godparrent, I want to sent ger something, to help her in later life - maybe a shed load of money..... T is such a beautiful girl !!  We love it all......!!

Two thinks from that 1986 trip -  I say on the plan for about 6 hours or so & read The Book Of Mormon, for the whole flight..... as we were getting out of our sits, a lady 2 seats from me & as if I was enjoyng it.  I said something - "I don't understand it all"  Her reply, was "Read it again " !!  I've no clue who that lady was - but, 25 years on - I'm still reading The Book Of Mormon - I still don't understant it all - but.... as the Lord Is My Witness, - it saved my life that year......... I was at my lowest, having just lost a Wife & Son.

It not only saved my life - but, it has kept me alive.... when I finally die - well, B & I  will not of been allowed the chance to The Temple - it's going to be with-held from us.  It's a shame -  but we love each over & no matter whatever happens ove these coming months..... we won't make it to Temple - but my Dearest Fiend, will be with forever...... thru' to the last day !!  I must away.....until next time..

Bye Bye

Hello & Greetings.....

Hello & Greetings To You All - I hope you're all turning nicely on your own little Worlds ?!!

It's been a brilliant day for music.... for 3 hours earlier, B & I sat back & watched the new Rush 'Time Machine' DVD - it's well good !!  Plus, if that wasn't enough - in the post today, the Nightwish album 'Imaginaerum' reached me & it's blasting away as I type these words !!  I'm only up to track 3 & so far, it's been a good listen.........

Anyhooo....as for the family.... B has gone out to a gym class, J is upstairs & ME is about someplace awaiting her boyfriend - who I think is on his way over.  So - as usual, that leaves me typing these words to you all !!  It's not all bad - with the "rec room" to myself, it means the music is just that much louder !!

It's been a good day, all around really.  I had a relatively good night & didn't over sleep too much this morning... that's a first, I'm usually still asleep quite late into the morning !!  The down side - well, the implant is not working.... "boo-hoo" !! Not at the moment at least........ so, that's a bit of a bummer - but, it might sort itself out over the coming weeks &/or the Consultant did say he could adjust it, if need be, in January - when I go back to the hospital.  I had hoped it was sorting itself out - but, never mind.... it might all sort itself.

It doesn't help that my back is still swollen & sore - maybe, when that's better - the implant will start to have an effect - we'll see......

A friend of ours - thru' the Church - had surgery yesterday & from the e-mails I had from him today, he had a general 'knock-out' type thing & was feeling it a bit today......... from experience, I know how he feels - I hate being knocked out for surgery !!  It's so much more fun, being awake & able to talk to the guys who are working on you !!  I just don't like the fact that for an hour or three, you have no control over what is happening.... never mind, I shouldn't moan - we're able to smile about it all & that's the main thing !!

As I type, the TV is showing clips from the bombing of Pearl Harbour, in 1941...... I mentioned it last night...

I've just changed the music of the moment..... I'm now playing disc 3 of the Rush set that I picked up on Saturday.  I realised that I hadn't played it all the ways thru' & this disc was still waiting in the player.  I seem to be on a bit of a mad Rush day today !!  Never mind - it's all music !!

ME's boyfriend is here now - just  arrived, bless him....... the two of them are made for each other & hopefully it'll last a while yet !!  They are good together !!

Yesterday - I was recording Lp's onto CD for a guy in Church....... much to my surprise, I found myself enjoying an old album by a guy called Roger Wittaker.  He was very big here in the late 60' & 70's - as much as I hate to admit it, I thought it sounded really good !!  Especially his covers of Cat Stevens & Ralf McTell...... I won't advise you to buy any of his stuff, even if you can find it - but.... I enjoyed listening to it !!

The album I did yesterday, came out in 1979... so, it's not that old really - well, I'm older, so I should say that, shouldn't I !!

One thing I miss - that's the 12 inch LP artwork !!  The ones that opened right out, giving you something to look at...... the Nightwish album, that came today - well, it has a poster with it & that's fine, except.... Well, it's all folded up to fit into the Cd - so it has all these folds across it - kind of spoils the thing really !!  Do you know what I mean ?

My all time favourite album art... well, I would say the picture inside the Lynyrd Skynyrd album,'First & Last'.  It had the guys, on stage at Knebworth in 1976 - the gig where the Rolling Stones headlined.  The stage was this big Stones type artwork & (some of) Skynyrd were right out at the front, doing the end bit of 'Free Bird'....... it was a great picture !!

I saw them 3 times (in England) before the plane crash in 1977...... I missed the Knebworth show over a mix up with the dates.  I thought I was going to be in London (seeing my ex off at the airport) that weekend, but the show was the week after, so.........  Never mind - check out the 'Free Bird' movie DVD - it has a few clips from the Knebworth show, you can see what I mean about the stage !!

One of my sad memories, was the fact that I spoke with Ronnie Van Zant, in 1974, at their gig in Bristol.... he was a very gentle, kind man - for the few minutes I shared with him at least !!  It's hard to believe, their first tour here was in support of Golden Earring !!  The latter were flying high on the back of the 'Radar Love' single.... after Skynyrd finished their set, the guy I was with & yours truly left - we only went up to see Skynyrd !!  Happy days..... but, sad in their own ways.........

Oh well......tomorrow, I have to go into town, to see one of my other Consultants..... she wanted to see me after the surgery, to see how things were going - so, that tomorrow's plan.  It should take very long, maybe an hour at most !!  After that, we have to do some shopping & so on.... another hectic day... I think not !!

As for tonight - it'll be a quiet one...... got to get myself sorted for bed & then I'm off to "noddy land" - as I've said before, I need my beauty sleep !!  So, I'm away... thanks for reading, until next time...

Bye Bye

So, Here I Am Once More.......

Well, Hello Worlds Of Internet Space... have you missed me ?

I've not written anything since Friday (I think ?)... one thing has led to another & I've been a bit toooooo poorly to write very much.  I was fine on Thursday, then Friday I went down hill - which I didn't help by going to Exeter on Saturday !!  So, I can forget about Sunday & yesterday - I spent a big slice of it in bed !!  Oh well, it's a life - but it's all I've got folks, so I'm grateful for all it gives me !!

Anyhoooooo - it's a Tuesday evening - B has just gone out to weight-watchers, followed by a trip to the gym.... J is behind me, in the kitchen, clearing up the supper dishes & our lovely Daughter, ME is out at work - by now, I think she'll be on her way home.... so.......  That just leaves me here, typing this words.  It's warm in here tonight, I've had the heating on most of the day, so.....

I actually checked with the gas company, to see how much we owed them.  We pay every month, on like a bank draft thing - it turns out, we're all payed up - all but £4 something !!  So, we're starting the winter off on a good footing, bill wise !!  I thought we would owe them a shed full, but I paid up the excess the other week - so.... we're good !!  As we pay something like £50 a month, we should be good for a few months... time will tell !!

Ok - I'm here & the music of the moment is Rush... our favourite group of Canadians !!  It's their Texas show, from 1996....... I finally got myself a copy on Saturday !!  It's meant to be a soundboard recording, but - well, I've heard better !!  Never mind...... it's good to have it in the collection !!

Plus - it's got to be better than the Lp's I've been sorting out - for the guy in Church - I think I've OD'd on Perry Como & Nat King Coe today....... well, I think it was today !!  The Lp's have all blurred into one over the last week !!  Never mind - back to Rush.....

We went down to Exeter on Saturday, to see my friends at the record fair..... anyways, I got the Rush set from a guy I've known for about 20+ years now !!  I couldn't believe it, when I saw what I had... a big "Yipppeeee !!" moment I can tell you.... added to the fact, I also managed to get a copy of a Gov't Mule show !!  I felt like c**p - but to come home with two great shows - well, it was worth the trip !!

The Mule show is from New Orleans May 5th 2001 & the bits I've played sound really good !!  It took me far too long to get my brain ("wot brain ?") into the Mule... but, I think I understand it now - well, more than I used to anyways !!  So, all in all - a great trip.... sure, I made up for it afterwards - but, I'm glad we went down.

The next fair is in February - on the 25th - so, as it's going to be ME's 21st birthday on that day, we will be given it a miss !!  My "little girls" birthday is far more important than a record fair !!  Besides, by the time of the next fair in May, I'll be looking to get some more stuff - heck, it's 5 months away... I shouldn't plan that far a head really !!

While we were in Exeter, we had a look around to see if there were any pressy's for the guy's Christmas.  We did find something, but.... the shops were so full of people, I couldn't get in any sense with my wheelchair, so we kind of gave up !!  Never mind - it was a good day out & J came with us - he met up with a girl he knew thru' college - so, it got him out of the house for a few hours !!  We were only there for just under 3 hours - but, it was a good trip all the same !!

The down side was... well, it spoilt the rest of the weekend - that is, I spoilt the rest of the weekend, by feeling poorly !!  It meant we didn't get to Church on Sunday & I feel bad about that, but.... I think, after sleeping most of yesterday, I'm on an upward slope now !!  I don't feel 100% - but.... I feel better than I did.

so, that's good - give it another week or two & I might even feel over the surgery.  Heck, it's been two weeks & I'm still sore - never mind !!  I'm able to sleep better now - so that's a bonus !!

Just playing this Rush set (it's a 3 Cd thing) & for some reason, the tracks don't match.... that is, what I'm hearing is different from what is written down on the inlay !!  Very strange - but, no big deal - it's all music folks !!  Onwards....

If all goes well, tomorrow, I'll have the new Nightwish album reach me in the post !!  I'm looking forward to that one !!  If you know nothing about the band, check out their web site !!  I'm not sure how many albums we have by them now, but I think it's most of them..... also, tomorrow (I hope) I'll have the 'new' Rush DVD. I was hoping it might have been here before now - but....... hopefully tomorrow !!  It's something to look forward to in my old age !!  I'll let you know when I get them & what they are like......

The war of the building permission is still going on, with our neighbour.  We are not alone, in moaning about it - it seems there are a few people opposing the build !!  B was outside earlier & another neighbour asked her if we were for or against it.  It turns out that several people in the Close are moaning about it, not just us !!  It all sounds kind of petty, but... if you could only see what they want to build, it's massive !!  I still think it'll get the go ahead, but.... I hope not !!  It'll be a case of who you know on the council & - I think - where the guy will win.... not because it's right, but because of who he is !!  Oh well....... moving on !!

Tomorrow is the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbour, 1941....... it's been a long time.......

Ok - I must away really....... I've very little to do this evening, but I'm going to enjoy not doing it !!    I have some more Cd's to listen to & then sort myself out for bed - such a hectic life I have, I just don't know how I manage it all !!  My thanks to my Russian friend for logging in - I'm back now... so, expect a lot more of nothing over the coming days !!  Until then.....

Bye Bye

Another day.....

Hello to you all........

Today... well, it's been a "back to Earth" type of day.  Yesterday I was on cloud nine - I felt really good with myself.... today has been a quick reminder that I'm still human - no matter how "bionic" I feel !!

I went to bed last night, feeling a little out of it & as the night went on, I felt worse & worse - a really bad downward spiral..... if that makes any sense at all !!  So - instead of going to Dug's funeral... I spent the morning in bed & didn't really come around until lunch time.  I really wanted to go, it was the least I could of done - Dug was a really nice man.  In the end..... I was grounded back on Earth.  Ok- that was my day... it stunk.

If all goes well, tomorrow- & I'm well enough - we'll be off to Exeter for the record fair..... Hopefully things will go well & we'll meet up with some old friends, getting today behind me !!  B & J are coming with me - well, I can't go with-out B, as she does all the driving now..... but J wants to come along for the ride & look see, so that'll be good.  ME is working tomorrow, so.... she be home alone for a while !!

ME is sat here with me at the moment - watching season one of 'Gray's Anatomy' on DVD...... it's amazing how young they all look !!  I think we're on season 5 at the moment, on TV - I really don't know for sure... I'm not a great fan !!  The ladies of the house like it tho'........

So - as the TV is on, there is no music on...... I know, it's a horrible situation !!  I just don't feel like I'm in a 'music mood' tonight - I must be ill, there has always been room in my life for music !!  Usually the same thing, over & over.... not tonight tho' !!

I wated to dig out Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells 3'... a live version I have  here someplace.  It has a lot of memories for me - from 2002........ I was stuck in the hospital & 'T B's' 2 was my music of choice for nearly of the 3 weeks......

Right, I've just had a phone call - from a record fair mate & we're going to try & meet him a bout 11am, but - I'm still not feeling too good, we'll see how thing go !!

So, for now - my thanks to the Russian readers who logged on today & please keep reader, it's really great to know you're all out there !!  Until next time....

Bye Bye

The Master's Apprentices

Hi Everybody & A Happy December 1st To You All !!

Well, it's official - I am now "bionic" !!  For the first time in my life, I have two pulses !!  Yep - this old heart of mine has a new friend, to keep the beat to & - who knows - have a boogie with, while I'm asleep !!  Great stuff !!

What am I going on about... Well, today, at about 1pm, one of my consultants switched on my implant - the one I've been waiting over a year for & was stuck in last week - and now, it's beating away quite nicely thank you !!

It's a very strange feeling - this things is beating away at about 2 beats a second & it's really weird folks... lets hope it works, if not - well, I will have waited a long time for nothing & our health service (bless them) will have invested over £10,000 for nothing !!  Time - as I keep saying - will tell !!

Ok - it's a cold & wet Thursday night here in England... the ladies of the house have gone out to a gym class & so, J & I are here together in the warm !!  I have to be honest, I know where I would rather be - yep, right where I am !!  Hopefully tomorrow & Saturday will be a bit better......

Dug's funeral is tomorrow & Saturday we're off down the motorway to the record fair !!  The latter will depend on how I am on the day... but, hopefully I'll be Ok for it.....

Today  has been a bit of a long one really - I'm kind of bushed out !!  Oh well.... We made good time going to the hospital, which was good...... mainly as B had made a chocolate cake for the guys who looked after me last week.  We do that if we can, take the staff in a fresh baked something or another - it's the least we could do, given how well they look after us, each time I go in !!

As we went into the ward area, where I was last week, we saw one of the nurses who has looked after me, nearly, all of the last 10 years !!  Bless her, the look on her face when she saw the cake - it was brilliant !!  I hope they enjoy it & that most of them managed to get at least one mouthful !!

Right - onwards..... the family are, as mentioned here & there.  Leaving me here to listen to music & keep warm !!  The music of the moment is Dream Theater (again) & a little while ago - well, it was an old Australian band called The Master's Apprentices !!  It was their 'A Toast To Panama Red' (that's such a great 1970's title) album, from about 1972 ish....... as with a lot of my stuff, I used to have the Lp & now have the Cd.

I only really know about this band (MA's) as I used to have an Australia pen friend & she told me about them.  I managed to track down 2 of their Lp's & over the last few years, I've picked up 6 of their Cd's.... I must look around, to see if I can find any others by them.  When I sold my old Lp's - the 2 recordings I had by them netted me over £100 - not a bad return, when you consider how little they cost when I bought them !!

I used to have lots of pen friends over the years - very few of which I'm still in contact with.  Never mind, we all go our own ways & lose track of those friends we knew.  I sometimes wonder where some of them are now & how they are all doing - some of them have probably passed away.... hope not, but we're not getting any younger !!

The plan tonight, is really to rest up & slow down a bit from what has been a hectic sort of day really..... nothing special is on TV, so it'll be an early night for me I guess - not too early tho, there is still music to play !!

With that in mind - I will away for tonight.... until next time...

Bye Bye