Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Within Temptation

Hi again everybody !!

I hope your bit of the Universe is treating you well - all the shades of colour, that make you smile, are there - in place & comforting to your eyes ?! What a weird way to start a post !! Nevermind - I'll put it down to the drugs & have no more to say about it... ho-hum !!

It's a Wednesday.... the last couple of days have been sooooo overcast & dismal, it's kind of depressing.... I know there is a medical condition, linked to the Winter & dark days - so, please believe me, I am not making light of that !! It is a bit 'orrid tho'......

So - I've not posted for a day or ten... I can't honestly remember the last time that I sat here & typed in my thoughts ?! I'm thinking it might have been Monday - tho'..... I'm not really sure. Anyhoo - I'm here at the moment & life is pretty good......

First tho' - the family !!

As I type - My Wife & Dearest Friend - B... well, she is in our kitchen, washing the floor, with some kind of extension mop thingy.

If you live, here in England, there is a TV advert, where some guys are doing a 'Game Of Thrones' type fight...... one of them, when reaching for his sword, pulls are various things - an umbrella etc etc..... including a long cobweb brush, I think it looks like B has pinched one of them, to wash the floor !! I'm staying way out of reach !! It looks too dangerous, for an idiot like me to use !!

Anyways - that's my Wife... as for the rest of the human family......

Well, yesterday, we went over to the M & M's house (M & M's ? - check older posts) to spend a bit of time, with our Daughter ME. She - I think - is on a few days holiday, sooooo we went & said "hello" to her & the mad kitten, the mighty & ever growing Bruce !! I tell you - for a kitten, he is getting bigger & bigger !!

I know - "kittens do get bigger" - but, he is really getting/turning into a lovely cat....... all fur & fun !! One day, we should take Archie (check earlier posts - again) for a play date - I think it would be fun, to see how they get on !! Oh well.....

M - ME's partner - is getting me a better keyboard.... by better, I mean really better, than the one I've been using !! Anything would be a step up, from what I have now..... but, M is tracking one down for me. I don't mind how much it costs, I just need something better than the piece of junk I've had for the last few years !!

I'm not 100% sure where I got this one from... but, I need something with a bit of extra size to it  !! The keys, on this old one, are kind of small & - as I reached my 100th birthday - I need something I can, not only use, but can see !! Oh well..... we'll see what turns up !!

For the record - I'm not nearing my 100th birthday... it just feels that way !! More on the reasons why, in a minute or five !!

As for the last member of our human family, our Son J... well, as far as I know, he is still over in Aberystwith, at the Uni there. B did have a text from him, a day or two back.... so, at least we know he is alive !!

I wish - I really do - that he would re-consider his decision, not to come "home" for the Christmas holidays. As I've written before - he hates me, with a vengeance.... but, I wish he wouldn't let that hatred get in the way of his relationship, with B !! She is his Mum - and I don't care how old your children get.... they're still your children & we love them, from the deepest part of our hearts !!

But - as with everybody - he has to do what he thinks is best for him, at this time in his life. We're here, if he needs us.... sooooo - it's his life & he has to live it, in the way he wants !!

Going back, to why it feels like I'm a 100 years old today......

With J in mind - I went into his room, to try & tidy things up a bit..... wow - that's going to be a job & a half !! I have managed to sort out 20 of the model trains, that I have been collecting, over the last few months...... so, they're almost ready to put up into the loft space.

I say almost - mainly as I'm missing one of the magazines, that go with each of the models !! As luck would have it - the actual magazine - well, it's number 13 !! It's here someplace.... I just have to find it !! No biggy......

But - sorting everything out has really taken a chunk of my ever dwindling energy supplies !! No - it's not that bad... I'm just a little knackered !! Not to worry..... I only have another 50 or so models, to put away & the bedroom will be back to (some kind of) normal !!

There are at least 30+ model Star Trek spaceship models... plus something like 20 model planes. Again - as with the trains, I've been collecting them.... oh, for several months now. Sooner or later, I'll put them all away, in a box, for someone to have....... whenever that might be !!

It'll sound dumb - but, earlier, as I was putting things away - I was thinking to myself, how all of the things I've collected. will go to someone, who - more than likely - I will never actually get to meet !! I know - I said it was dumb.... but, one day, I hope one of my decedents will get some pleasure out of the various models, that I have collected over the many years !! Time will tell......

Moving along..... to music !!

As I type, I'm listening to the latest live album(s) from Within Temptation...... 'Let Us Burn' - which came yesterday. Ok - it was a day late, but - for me, it was well worth the wait !!

I've picked up the Blue-ray version...... with two concerts on the one disc & - to go along with it - there are two Cd's.... one each, from the two concerts........ it's well good !! They were recorded on two separate dates & the tracks are:

  1) Burn
  2) In The Middle Of The Night
  3) Faster
  4) Fire & Ice
  5) Our Solemn Hour
  6) Stand My Ground
  7) Angels
  8) Sanctuary Intro..
  9) The Last Dance
10) Say My Name
11) Candles
12) Sinead
13) The Promise
14) Mother Earth
15) Ice Queen
16) Stairway To The Skies

The above was recorded on November 13th 2012....

  1) Let Us Burn
  2) Paradise (What About Us ?)
  3) Faster
  4) Iron
  5) Edge Of The World
  6) In The Middle Of The Night
  7) Dangerous
  8) And We Run
  9) Stand My Ground
10) Covered By Roses
11) Mother Earth
12) What Have You Done
13) Silver Moonlight
14) Whole World Is Watching
15) Sinead
16) Ice Queen

... and this on was recorded on 2nd & 3rd May 2014...

Both concerts are really good - for me, it's brought their last two albums - I don't know !! I was going to say, they've brought them to life - but, that sounds like a load of crap - but, it's a really great set & well worth having in the collection !!

One thing is for sure.... B has been singing along with it & tapping her toes, with each & every beat !! Ok - she doesn't know half of the words - but, what the heck.... it's all good !!

Right, I better be on my ways - the Cd has just come to an end & we're going to watch a movie/DVD... 'The Man Who Sued God' - a nice bit of comedy on a dark & damp day.....

As always - I thank you for logging in & taking the time to read my words...... if you heard screaming earlier - that was me, when I had my dressings change, this morning, at our local Dr's...... nevermind, I'm away !!

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

Bye Bye

Monday, 17 November 2014

Dio, Deep Purple & Transatlantic.... Ho-hum.

Greeting's World's !!

It's been a few days - about 6 - since my last post !! I know - take me out back & give me a good spanking with Grand Dad's old belt.... no, don't do that... it might give some weird people, some even weirder ideas !! Anyhoo.... 6 days !!

Today is Monday - a very wet & horrid Monday, by the look of it !! B - My Wife & Dearest Friend - has taken Murphy out for a walk.... yep, in the rain !! He is not our dog.... let the neighbour, who owns him, take him for a walk !! Which leads onto another thing.......

Yesterday, another neighbour called & asked B to go over. Nothing wrong in that... it happens from time to time. Anyways - it seems that the neighbour had seen Murphy, up close & personal, and she was upset by it !!

By that, I mean, she saw how tatty old Murphy had got !! He is thin, full of fleas & his coat needs a good going thru' !! Now then - why she called B... well, I don't honestly know ?! I'm guessing, it's because she takes him out, for walks & stuff..... but, apart from that, we can't really do much about it all !!

I've said - for a very long time - how I feel, about Murphy being shut in his house, for hours at a time..... only going out, for a walk, when B has the time... or when his owner feels like a bit of exercise !! He is not our dog - so, the neighbour, who called B - well, she should speak to P - the owner & get it off her chest, that ways.... not involve my Wife, in her problems !! I will see what happens.... and let you know how things go......

I mentioned B.. ME - our Daughter - is coming over, after dinner.... sooooo that will be great !! I miss our little whirlwind of a Daughter !! Bless her... I think she is on a week off from work, so that will give her a bit of a rest !!

As for our Son... J..... well, that's a different story !! After telling B, in a text, that he's staying away from this house - (there were some swear words in the text, which I've left out) - and, in the past, he has said to leave him alone, as he gets pissed off, every time one of us contacts him.....

..... well, surprise, surprise, he contacted B again - to ask for a cake mix ?! All very weird !! If you want us, to leave you alone - well, we can do that.... but, you can't contact us, whenever you feel like it - if nothing else, you're sending out mixed signals !! You either want us, in your life, or you don't !! You can't have both... it's upsetting your Mum !! Think about that..... !!

Ok - onto music.....

As I type, I'm listening to the latest release by Led Zeppelin.... more to the point, Jimmy Page !! It's 'The Companion Disc' to Led Zeppelin 4...... as with the other releases, this one is just as crap !! I'm a big Led Zeppelin fan, I really am & there is nothing new, on either of the 2 releases !! Infact - Led Zeppelin 4's extra disc & the extra disc, on 'Houses Of The Holy'  - will fit, together, on one Cd !!

Sooooo - I ask you, who are you kidding Mr Page ?! I guess, there are some people, who went out & paid £99 for the deluxe set - I'm not one of them !! For that kind of cash - I want something "new" for my money.... these releases are not !!

Talking of "new" - B bought me a few Cd's..... well, "new" to me !! They include a 2 Cd 'Mightier Than The Sword' - by Ronnie James Dio.... it has stuff, from his days in Elf - right thru' to his stuff, with the mighty Heaven & Hell !! A really great collection... which, at some point, I will give you a track listing for !! Not today tho'.... added to another set - 'Live At The Coliseum, Washington 1984' - I'm having a bit of a Dio thing, at the moment !!

B also bought me, a 2 Cd set - well, a live set, celebrating the music of Jon Lord.... the Deep Purple keyboard player, who passed away a while ago. It has stuff on it, from his early days - sung by Paul Weller (who would of thought ?) and stuff he did with Deep Purple Mk. 3 'Burn' and what have you.... it's a really great collection, go & buy yourself a copy !! I'll do a track listing, at some point.....

I've also had the latest Transatlantic 'live' set - which I might have written about before... plus, a 2 Cd set by Ian Anderson.... 'Thick As A Brick' plus 'Thick As A Brick 2' - I've only played a few minutes of the first disc... what I heard, well - I wasn't too impressed and that's a fact !! Oh well - I'll give it another play, at some point.... it might grow on me !! It was recorded 'live' - in Iceland.... but..... !!

Today - if all goes well, the new Within Temptation concert Cd & DVD will reach me, in the post..... I really am looking forward to hearing that !! A great band - check them out... you will not be disappointed !!

Ok - my plans for today......

In an hour or so, I have to go down to the surgery, to have my dressings changed again !! Yep - it's that time of the week again. Nevermind.... if you hear some screaming, you'll know it's me !! Oh - I forgot !!

Last Wednesday, I saw my Consultant, in Taunton..... a fantastic guy !! He did the first surgery - and the others, thru' to number 6 or 7 (I've lost count) on my back. Anyhoo - he wasn't overly impressed, by the state of my back - considering I've had 3 plastic surgeons operate on me, in the past 11 months !!

He's going to write to the guy, in Exeter & "have a go" at him... to try & get things sorted out.... who knows, maybe this time, next year, I'll have lost the hole in my back !! Heck - I've been here before..... nevermind !!

I must away - my computer is playing tricks on me, so hopefully you will get these words..... time will tell !! But - for now, I thank you for your time & for logging in & reading my words... until next time...

Bye Bye

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Transatlantic, Dream Theater & other stuff.

Greeting's World's !!

It's a very wet & windy Tuesday afternoon, here in England's South-West corner....... B said we had a severe weather warning, earlier, on the TV news. It doesn't look that bad to me - but, what do I know !! It might be the afternoon.... but, I've only been out of bed since a little after 2pm !! Life is good..... but, I could do with a few less days, like today !!

Talking of B....

My Wife & Dearest Friend is upstairs - taking the vacuum cleaner for a trot across the bedroom floor. It echoes down thru' the floorboards, right above my place - sat by the computer screen !! When I woke up - B was making some Christmas cards, in her craft cave..... so, with me down here, I'm guessing she is taking the chance to do our room !!

Another member of the family - Smudge, our oldest cat.... well......... he is asleep, on the living room window ledge, right above the radiator !! I kid you not - our cats know all of the warmest places !! Merry - one of our tabby twins, well.... he spent the morning, on the bed. Of course - I was in the bed, with the electric blanket on, sooooo - he knew where he had to be !!

As soon as I came down stairs - and the blanket was turned off - he gave up & went outside !! Bless him & all of our cats, for allowing us the honour to live here, with them !!

As for the human members of the family.... well, ME - our Daughter - hasn't been around, for a day or two....... working & being with partner M, I guess !! Hopefully she will come around soon.... I miss our little one !!

Our eldest - our Son - J - well....... that's a different story !! I did take the chance - and e-mail him, to see if he wanted/or was going to come this way for Christmas....... the answer was a firm "no" - along with an aside, that he didn't want any Christmas pressy's, as he didn't have the room ?! Well - I had to ask...... just because he really hates my guts, doesn't mean to say, he didn't want to spend the holidays, with his Mum !! Oh well....

That is going to lead onto the next e-mail, which I guess, I'm going to send him...... as he's not been home, for just shy of 12 months - he came here for a couple of days, last Christmas - what does he want doing with his stuff ?! Most of it.... well, a lot of it, I should say, is up in his room, collecting dust !!

I just spoke, about it - the second e-mail - to B.... she has offered to write it, but I've suggested we leave it, until after Christmas, at least - incase he does show up, at some point. I think we both agree tho' - he is our Son, but we can not keep his stuff here, indefinitely.... well, we could, but it's down to him really. It's his stuff - he will have to make a choice !! Oh well.....

The music of the moment, well - it's Transatlantic's 'Nights In White Satin'. They do it sooooo f**king well, they really do. A great band - who's latest live set - is on it's way to me, as I type !! Hopefully it will get here soon.........

I ordered it, from a place, who said it was in stock..... they lied !! After I e-mailed them, to ask just how big their storehouse was....... they wrote back to say, they didn't have it, in stock...... oh well, that's one company who will get a fat "negative" on their web page !! Nevermind....

The music has now moved onto Dream Theater's version of 'Stargazer' !! Nice & loud, to wake me up a bit, after my delayed "getting out of bed" kind of day !! I think the latest Pink Floyd album is next, not really sure about that... time will tell !!

On my left hand, I have the letter 'P' - in old style..... the reason for this ?! I'm glad you asked !!

I was thinking, last night, that - somewhere in this mad house, I have a 2 Cd set of live Marillion tracks, as done by the Mick Pointer Band.... now, I know it's here, someplace - I just don't have a clue where.... so, the letter 'P' is to remind me, to try & find it !! Of course - I used a couple of Cd pens, to write it on.... so, the ink will not wash off, in a hurry - giving me enough time, to remember to find it !!

Found it !!!! Yep - I suddenly remembered something..... I had a whole shelf, with artists, whose names began with the letter 'Q' - Queen, Queensryche, Quicksilver Messenger Service and what have you.....  the Cd I was looking for, well..... it was right on top of them !!

When I was sorting the Cd's out - a month or so ago - some odd ones were put there, to help me remember where they were..... hence, it was stuck there !! Of course - I forgot all of the above - until a little while ago, when I saw a shelve half empty, except for a few 'Q's' - what was lost, is now found !!

I've written the tracks down, at least once, in this old blog of mine.... but, for those who missed them:

CD 1

1) Script For A Jester's Tear
2) He Knows, You Know
3) The Web
4) Garden Party
5) Chelsea Monday
6) Forgotten Sons

CD 2

1) Three Boats Down From The Candy
2) Charting The Single
3) Grendel
4) Market Square Heroes
5) Margaret

Ok - it's not Marillion - but.... it's some early stuff & all a bit of fun. Give the album a listen, at some point - you might enjoy it !! All I have to do now, is wash the pen off of my left hand !! Oh well....

Going back, to yesterday..... I went down, to the local surgery, to have my dressings changed - you may have heard the scream, where you live ?! Anyhoo - the nurse said something, that I thought was out of line.

When I told her, about taking control of things & having the Vac-pump removed.... she got a bit crappy & said "we don't have the appointments here" - which, I guess, meant - in her opinion - they didn't have time, to do my dressings there !!

B jumped in & pointed out, that I have appointments, right thru' this week & the whole of next week... well, she - sort of - changed her tune. Honestly - my Dr. knows why I'm down here, having my dressings changed, sooooo - in some ways, she should remember who pays her wages !! "Yep" - people like me, who have paid out our National Insurance all thru' our working life...... it wasn't a very nice thing to say tho' !!

Tomorrow - in the afternoon - I have to return to the hospital, in Taunton, to see the Consultant, who did the first surgery, way back in May of last year...... I will be interested in what he has to say, about it all - it's been a while since he last saw the wound, so it will be an interesting few minutes or so !! I'll let you know, how things go.....

We're hoping it's going to be a bit dryer than today - hopefully we can go & have a bit of a shop..... but, that will depend on the weather, I guess. It would be great, if the Sun came out & I could get B into one or more of her favourite craft shops !! We'll have to wait & see......

At least, we don't have to go all the way down to Exeter !! The original plan, was to go to Exeter - to see one Consultant - in the morning.... then back to Taunton, to see the second guy. As I called off then first guy - it means we can just take our time & head for Taunton. Great stuff....

So - with pink Floyd's latest album playing away to it's self (I got fed up with Mick Pointer) I better close this down & see what e-mails I've had today....... as usual, I suspect there will be plenty of junk - but, you never know !!

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

Bye Bye

Saturday, 8 November 2014

'The Endless River' ....Pink Floyd......

Greetings World's !!

It's a Saturday - here in England - it's pretty overcast & not so warm, outside..... a day for staying in the house & watching the clouds go by !! Actually - it's more than clouds - there are loads of birds, in the air.... being blown, this way & that !! Poor things.... nevermind !!

First off tho' - "The Family" !!

As I type, I'm home with B - My Wife & Dearest Friend....... who, I believe is upstairs, doing some cleaning, in our room. I'm not 100% sure about that..... sometimes - I can hear things, thru' the floor/ceiling above - but, not today !! Maybe she's walking softly.... more likely, I've got the music on - just a little bit too loud & that's drowning out any noises, from whatever she is doing !!

At some point - we are going into J's old room.... to try & sort stuff out !! It's become a bit of a tip, really.... with everything just being thrown in there, any old which way !! I know he probably won't be coming back this way - but, we still need to get stuff cleared
away !!

Over the last few months, in particular, I've just dumped a load of my magazines & models, in there !! Tho' - there are not sooooo many coming now, as I expected... to explain !! As best I can...

I have - over many, many years - collected models, which - I hope - will be kept, for either my Grandchildren - or....... thinking way into the future.... for their own children !! I've written about all of this, in earlier postings.... but...

Up in the loft, there are 100 little trains  - N Gauge size - along side some 50+ plans, all in different gauges & several boats. There all Ok - all stuck away, for whenever the future needs them....

... however, over recent months - I've been collecting a whole bunch of models, all taken from the various 'Star Trek' TV shows & the odd movie or two !! I was told, last week - maybe the week before - there are going to be 100 models, in that set.... so, that's going to be fun !!

I really hope someone will get some joy, from the models.... one day !! Oops - I forgot... about the "not sooooo many coming now" bit.... from above !!

I have been collecting some more trains.... this time in 'OO' gauge !! I didn't know, just how many there were going to be.... but, it seems there are only going to be 25 !! That's good - as I already have the first 19 !! Great stuff - it's good to do a complete set of the things.... no matter what it is, that I've collected !!

I know, some people will find the whole thing, a bit more than weird.... collecting all of these things & just putting them away - for someone else, to get the joy from, but... what the heck !!

Of course - all of these collections, have been with boys in mind..... but, I wouldn't know where to start collecting things, for any Grand Daughters !! Heck - as far as I know, I don't even have any Grandchildren  - so, I'm just looking to the future & hoping !! Moving on......

I think it was Wednesday, when I last posted anything.... that was a really strange night !!

As the evening went on, I felt sicker & sicker - to point, where I kind of past out !! B had to get Murphy's owner over, to hep her get me back onto the bed !! I really did feel like crap..... & very scared !! Mainly as it all happened really quickly !!

I had flaked out, at the hospital, earlier..... when my dressings were changed (but that was nothing too off the wall) - I wasn't worried too much, mainly as the pain, of having the dressings changed, often sends me "out of my skull" - to the point of passing out !! But, the evening was weird !!

In the end, someone sent an ambulance, out to me.... and, as I didn't really want to head into the hospital - again - plus, I was seeing my local Dr., the following day..... the ambulance crew let me stay home !! There was a condition, that - if I felt poorly, later on in the night - B had to call them out again !!

As it was - I didn't need them & I saw my local Dr. - a few hours later..... when I had to explain, about refusing to where Colin, anymore - to which, he surprisingly said he agreed with me !! He was pretty pissed, with the Exeter Consultant.... the way things have gone.... and - I think - the lack of communication. between my doctor here, in the village and the guy, in Exeter, who has done the last 2 operations !!

As I've said to him - I still have a very painful hole, in my back - and no real idea, how things are going to be carried thru' - to what I often call - "the end game" !! Oh well...... life goes on - with a little bit of a silver lining !! My local nurses are doing my dressings again !!

All of my nurses have been good - but, I do like the two ladies, who work here - in our local Dr's surgery !! Over the months, I've just grown to like their particular method of doing things !!

But - at the moment.... my number one nurse - well, I don't even know her name..... but, she was sooooo gentle, when she was here, last Sunday..... she was brilliant & will get my vote everytime - over & above all the rest of them !!

Ok - I best move onto "the music of the moment" !!

Well, I've been sat here, listening to a 2 Cd set.... called 'Live 2012' (I think). I can't find the box, anywhere - to confirm anything.... but, 'Johnny's Garden' is playing at the moment...... and - incase I've not mentioned it earlier... it's by Crosby, Stills & Nash - a really nice little listen !!

I had hoped to go down to Exeter - again - today.... for the last record fair of the year..... but, it just wasn't important enough to me, today, to make the trip...... Sometimes, I really want to go.... but, not today !! It's no big deal - I can 'phone the Cd case guy & get things thru' the post. But - not for a day or two - I've got plenty of cases..... for now at least !!

Besides - I'm still bankrupt - so.... heading towards a record fair, just before Christmas - well..... that had to wait a while !! Besides - there might be an Allman Brother's 2014 box set, out at some point..... so, I want to save my cash for that !!

However - having said, all of the above..... the latest Pink Floyd album 'The Endless River' came, in the post, this morning !! I've only given it, just the one play, up to now....... I will need to listen to it, a few more times, first !!

The tracks are:

  1) Things Left Unsaid
  2) It's What We Do
  3) Ebb & Flow
  4) Sum
  5) Skins
  6) Unsung
  7) Anisina
  8) The Lost Of Art Of Conversation
  9) On Noodle Street
10) Night Light
11) Allons-y (1)
12) Autumn '68
13) Allons-y (2)
14) Talkin' Hawkin'
15) Calling
16) Eyes To Pearls
17) Surfacing
18) Louder Than Words

Parts of the album, I've known - for a few years - since the official cassette tapes of 'Pulse' came out, many, many moons ago !! It was a 21 minute track - which I was told - was played, leading up to the start of the 1994 concerts. I've no proof of that - because I never attended any of the 1994 shows..... but.... I'm happy to go along with it !!

If you can find the 'Pulse' tapes - you can give them a listen..... I put my own (shop bought) tapes, onto Cd - as soon as I could, to protect them - but, they still play very well - even after 20 years !! Nevermind - I best think about signing off....

As always - I thank you, not only logging in & reading my words..... but, for making time, to do this, day after day ..... until next time....

Bye Bye

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

The Boss & some final words.. Ho-hum !!

Hi everybody..

I've taken a few days away from my old keyboard - apart from feeling physically crap, mentally - well.... I'm struggling !! Hell - after all of these months - going on 2 years now, I'm wore thru' !!

Nevermind - it's a Wednesday.... B - My Wife & Dearest Friend - has just gone out, to meet up with a friend, over a cup of weird tea... I don't know exactly what !! I know it's cold out side...... so, I'm here - at 9.30 in the morning, the heating is on & life is warm, if not exactly too good !!

B will home, in a few hours - then, once again, I have to go to the hospital !! Bummer !! To explain how things have gone, over the last week - a kind of pick up & go, on the events of the last 7 days !!

Last Wednesday - we drove all the way to Exeter, to see the Consultant.... and he wasn't there !! So - a nice nurse, bless her made a right cock up, redressing my wound.

Last Friday - a district nurse came over & put the Vac-pump, back onto me.... by the weekend, I had thrown it in the bill.... twice !!

So - we come to Monday.... and, I allowed one of the better nurses, at the hospital, to redress the wound - including re-uniting me with Colin - the Vac-pump........

Yesterday - which, for whatever reason, I thought was Sunday (?) - I gave up, on Colin again. He kept alarming, for hour after hour.... 3 times, in 20 minutes, at one time.... so - if a bin had been handy - he would of been well & truly in there !!

Today - Wednesday..... well, it's hospital times again !! This time - Colin is packed, ready to go & they - the nurses can keep him !! I've had enough.... I really have !!

So, at 2pm - B will drive me, to the hospital & they will say this, that & the other..... me - I'll just tell them to give Colin a good home & I'm walking away !! My local nurses can deal with things, from here on in..... I really have had enough !!

After 17 months and 8 days... well, screw it all..... I've done everything asked of me.... now, I'm going to do it "My Way" !!

As for the music of  the moment...

Well, that's some good ol' Bruce Springsteen !! The tracks are:

  1) Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
  2) The River
  3) Thunder Road
  4) Atlantic City
  5) Dancing In The Dark
  6) Born In The U.S.A.
  7) I'm On Fire
  8) Glory Days
  9) My Home Town
10) War
11) Fire
12) Born To Run
13) Brilliant Disguise
14) Tunnel Of Love
15) One Step Up
16) Tougher Than The Rest
17) Spare Parts
18) Born To Run (acoustic)
19) Human Touch
20) Better Days
21) 57 Channels (And Nuthin' On)
22) Leap Of Faith
23) Streets Of Philadelphia
24) Murder Incorporated
25) Secret Garden
26) Hungry Heart
27) Dead Man Walkin'
28) The Ghost Of Tom Joad
29) The Ghost Of Tom Joad
(From The 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno)
30) Highway Patrolman
31) If I Should Fall Behind
32) Born In The U.S.A.
(From Charlie Rose)

A heck of great tracks, to choose from - take your pick & play them loud !! As long as you go out happy - screw it all & everyone !!

President Abraham Lincoln said - on December 1st 1862:

"The dogma's of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present"

He was kind right on that.... !! I'm sorry if I've got dates & stuff wrong !! As I say, I thought yesterday was Sunday..... what do I know !! But nevermind - in 100 years, I'll be gone - so, my words will get lost, in time... probably completely !!

I'm printing this old blog of mine - to stash away some place - for people to read, when my computer is way past it's sell by date. If, by printing it - some one gets to read these words, in a dozen or more years.... well "Hello" to you !!

I mentioned - more than once - 'Project '87'...... well, the original, typewriter printed list, is now safely framed, with pictures of 'Los Desperadoes'..... + part of the original album + the lyrics to that fantastic & - for me - very helpful song !!

B finished it off, last night.... it really came out sooooo much better, than I ever expected it to !! In the beginning, it was a joke - but, now - I realise just how important it was & is to me, as an individual !!

Right - I best be on my ways - oh I forgot.....  I e-mailed our Son - J - last night, to see if he intended "coming here for Christmas".

He replied:

"I am not coming home. Don't worry about Christmas Gifts if they crossed your mind. I don't have room'"

At least he called here "home" - for that, I guess B should be grateful !! Me.... well, he's not coming home - so, the Government will get another £104 a month out of us - on top of the £104 we pay for ME's old room. It's not a "bedroom tax" - as the Government keep telling us.... it's a "spare room tax" !!

No big deal.......... B gets her "Craft Cave" & with J's final words on the subject, it looks like I'm going to get a "Man Cave" - shit happens....... after all, it's only money we would use to feed ourselves, but what is food, when you have such an understanding Government ?! Fuck 'em all !!

I thank you for logging in... I'm sorry I've not written for 4 days.... I still think yesterday was Sunday.. until next time....

Bye Bye

Saturday, 1 November 2014

'Breaking The Forth Wall' & other stuff...

Hi again, everybody !!

It's November 1st & the start of the silly season, here in our part of the Universe !! I'll try & explain - but.... first the family !!

As I type, I'm home alone...... B has just left, to go over to the M & M's house.... 'tis Carnival night & ME wants to go, tho' her partner M... well, like me (I guess) he's not that bothered about it all !! So - he's staying in & the ladies are going to watch the floats go by...... good luck to them, I guess - it's not my idea of a fun night out !! "Humbug" and all of that kind of stuff !!

Anyhoo - I'm home alone & the heating is on.... with Archie, our youngest cat, keeping warm - curled up on the couch !! He hasn't been in, for very long.... so, he's probably catching up on his sleep... bless him !!

This morning, he was the only one in.... asleep, on our bedroom floor - keeping half an eye open, incase one of us made any kind of movement. Anyways - one of the other cats was outside, crying to come in.... so, I went down & opened the door. I was immediately run over by both of the tabbies, followed by Smudge, our oldest one !! Honestly - it was like a scene, out of a cartoon.... I open the door & cats come flying thru' the open space !!

I'm glad, that we only have cats... if 3 dogs had flown past me, in the way the cats did - I probably would of been sent head over heels & onto the floor !! Oh well - the joys of having pets, I guess !!

Going back, to yesterday.... I mentioned that there had been a car crash, at the bottom end of the village. I've checked our "local" newspaper's web site - but, details are kind of sketchy, about what happened. It seems there were 3 vehicles involved - and - apart from the regular ambulances - there were 2 air ambulances, taking the injured away, to hospital !!

To explain - there is a "by-pass" - which takes people around the main village. Unfortunately, it's a very fast bit of rood... where, from time to time, cars collide, when they either overtake, or - do not allow enough time, when pulling out of village junction.

There are 2 main junctions, into the village.... one has traffic lights, the other doesn't...... and, it's at the latter, where most of the crashes happen. People do not allow space, when they pull out, in front of on-coming cars etc etc - which, sometimes, can be going way over the speed limit !!

Since we've lived here - there have been people run over, while walking across the road - plus, like last year, car & bike crashes...... I say "like last year" - because a biker crashed and died, while I was actually in the hospital !! It's a very nasty bit of road - not helped by idiots, who think they know better & drive, or ride, beyond their means  !!

Good luck to all of them - hopefully all will survive !! It was obvious, that something "nasty" had happened, when we saw the helicopters flying in, for a landing !! Oh well....

As for this morning.... we were booked in, to the local surgery, for a "flu" injection.... to try & prevent any nastiness. Well - I've never been to keen on the things.... 2 reasons:

1) after the jab - I usually feel like crap !!
2) I don't like the way it's done !!

To explain, number 2....

You go in & they give you a form to fill out.... which I still have in my pocket. The form ask's all of these various questions - some of which, I find really none of anybody's business !! My form - actually has, across the bottom.... written by B "none of your business" !! That's how much I feel against the whole thing !!

But - the worst part is this.... I go down, for a flu shot & yet, I'm expected to go thru 3 different rooms, where you are quizzed about this, that & the other..... one of the rooms, is no more than the desk jockey - the lady who has no medical training and she is asking all these questions, for "their records" !! Isn't that what the Dr's are for ?!

Anyhoo - B went in first & I was called in a few minutes afterwards. I go into the first room & the lady says I "have to" have my blood pressure taken.... I told her, I was there for a flu shot, but... she was insisting I had to answer these bloody questions, sooooo - I walked out !! Had I not needed my hands, to hold my walking sticks, I probably would of put one finger up to her !!

Nobody tells me I "have to" do this, that or the other... it's my body, I'll decide what I do - not some cow, who basically doesn't know me, or - more importantly, who I don't know !! They obviously don't know me - or else they wouldn't tell me, what I "have to" do !! Screw that....

Last year, in the hospital, I actually refused treatment on one of the wards.... I had spent weeks, keeping my pick line (or whatever it's called) clean & away from bugs, only to find, as I came around from a surgery, that a lady was touching it, with-out any gloves one !! I was really pissed about that !!

I insisted they took all of my drips out & left me alone.... in the end, I was transferred to a different ward - but, once there, I told them very firmly, if they screw with me, I will do exactly the same thing..... In the end, they looked after me & I was more than happy !!

As I say - it's my body & my choice.... I don't care about anything else !! I really don't.... !!

As written about before - many, many times... I have a Vac-pump dressing, which is attached to my back wound. This is the 5th pump - we call it Colin - and, after all of these months.... I am really fed up, with having the bloody thing, going every where I have to go !!

Last night - or early this morning... Colin started playing up... sending off different alarms & just being a pain !! In the end - I went to the bathroom & disconnected the thing, threw it into the washing basket, with the dirty clothes & went back to bed !! It really is getting to the point, where I don't want the thing anymore - no matter how good, or bad, my wound is, while it's attached !!

Ok - it is doing me good.... but, I really am fed up with having it attached to me !! It's just a pain in the butt, to have to carry it everywhere I go !! Oh well..... life goes on.....

Going back, to last evening.... we didn't have any "trick or treat" kids around !! That was a first !! We think it was, probably, due to there being a big firework display, in town & the younger kids went to see that..... shame tho' - we had all this chocolate here, all ready for the little ones !! Maybe next year.....

As for the music of the moment... that's Dream Theater's 'Breaking The Fourth Wall' DVD. Being here, on my ownsome - I decided to give the thing a play, from start to finish. It's well good !! I must try & find out if there is a Cd release of the show..... Anyways, the tracks are:

Act One.

1) The Enemy Inside
2) The Shattered Fortress
3) On The Backs Of Angels
4) The Looking Glass
5) Trial Of Tears
6) Enigma Machine
7) Along For The Ride
8) Breaking All Illusions

Act Two.

1) The Mirror
2) Lie
3) Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
4) Scarred
5) Space Die Vest
6) Illumination Theory

Encore.

1) Scene Two: 1 Overture 1928
2) Scene Two: 2 Strange Deja Vu
3) Scene Seven: 1 The Dance Of Eternity
4) Scene Nine: Finally Free

Ok - I know 'Illumination Theory' has 5 little bits, but I couldn't be fussed, to list each & every one of them.... sorry about that !! I do like this DVD tho' - to me, in so many ways, it's better than their last concert release... 'Live At Luna Park'. I don't really know why, but..... for me, it's better - easier to listen to !!

I wrote a while back, about putting all of the extra speakers onto the system.... well, today it really worked brilliantly !! Thank's mainly to B - who had the idea of playing Within Temptation's 'Black Symphony' thru' the whole set up..... it was brilliant !!

If none of you know of Within Temptation - check them out..... their 'Black Symphony' DVD is a concert, with full orchestra, choir & extra guests - really good !! I'm glad B thought about playing it !!

Also, today - I found one of my Pink Floyd  SACD's.... this time around, their re-release of 'Dark Side Of The Moon'.... it played perfectly, with the 5.1 sound going around the room. B had a little moan at me, that I should of connected the speakers up before !!

For me - sure the whole 5.1 sound is good.... I just wanted the extra volume !! Ok - it's not extra volume..... but, it sounds sooooo much meatier, with the 12 inch bass speakers & everything !! Really good.... nice & loud !!

I have 2 40 watt speakers, under the computer table - I cannot tell you just how amazing they sound !! I agree with B - I should of connected everything up before !! Maybe, someday, I'll get my perfect sound system - whatever that might be !! I'm more than happy with what I have at the moment.... especially having the 100 watt docking station, for the Mini Egg - my iPod thingy !! Sooooo much sound, sooooo many Cd's & sooooo few brain cells, to take it all in with !! Life is good.....

Ok - it's November 1st..... and, I have no clue, as to what is going to happen over the coming months, or even over the next year !! As I keep moaning about.... this past 17+ months have been a heck of a time - in many, many ways, a trial.... trying to keep smiling, if not for myself - for those around me !!

I knew, last year, what I was getting into...... I say "I" - because, at that time, I got really fed up, with people saying "we" - when it was only myself, on my own, who was going to have surgery on my back, with all of the dangers that went with it.....

I was accused of making people lives shit... going on a "power" trip, or something like that. Well - nobody actually asked me, what I was feeling - people just seemed to think it was a "Family Affair" to quote the old song. maybe it was - but, nobody asked me, just how I was feeling !! My fears, my whole feeling of being scared, being frightened - if those are the right words (?) were expressed, in probably the only way I knew how !!

So, here I am - 17 months & 5 days, after I went into the hospital..... one day less, if you start counting, from the day of the surgery...... I'm still here, but, I really have had enough now, I really have !!

But - nevermind..... life goes on !! I might not know, what the next year will bring, in many ways, I don't really care - because, there is nothing I can do about it..... it's up to those - well, I was going to say "those around me" - but, whatever happens.... it's going to be decided by others...... I can do no more than flap my arms & hope the fall doesn't kill me !!

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

Bye Bye

Friday, 31 October 2014

Gov't Mule & a nasty car crash...

Greetings World's !!

It's - or this is what the BBC say - the warmest October 31st on record..... yep, it's warm... but, I'm sat here, with a jumper on !! It's the end of October, after all.... I'm not taking any chances !! B is behind me... wearing at-shirt.... I know it's warm, but..... !!

Ok - another Friday.... and, the end of another month !! This year hasn't exactly flown by - but... it's been an interesting one !! I guess the happiest bit, apart from my family of course, is that I've only had 2 surgeries this year !! That's a bit of a "Wow" moment...... compared to the 6 or 7, that I had last year - this year has been a bit quiet !!

Lets get back to "The Family" part of my life...

B is here, as I've already written.... and, in a little while, our Daughter, ME is coming over for a visit.... that will be nice, I've not seen her for a while - she is still a force of nature, the way she goes around, like the Duracell Bunny.... on some kind of mission !! She hardly ever slows down... bless her !!

I had to take a short break - our drains were blocked.... again !! I don't really know what is going on, with the blooming things.... that's twice now, in the last few weeks, that I've had to get my hands grubby & got the draining rods out !! It's not a lot of fun.... it really is not my way to spend 30 minutes of my life !!

I think, as best as I can make out & I really am not trying to shift the blame..... but, it's our neighbour's fault, that the things are blocking up. They keep using a hose pipe, to wash down their back yard - which means, that some grit & stuff, gets washed into the drains !! If you multiply that, by - I don't know - lots & lots of grit - the drains block up !! It's not as gross as it sounds.... just a pain in the butt !!

3 hours later !!

Hi again.. I just took a time out, when ME came over... I just sat with her & B - kind of just relaxing & chewing the fat....

Unfortunately, there was, or has been a nasty car crash - at the bottom end of the village - we've had at least 3 air ambulance helicopters in the skies above us, landing near to the accident site. ME is going to try & get by, but none of us really know how bad the traffic is. Hopefully nobody has been killed - but, it's a very fast bit of road.... people do drive like idiots along it !!

Anyhoo - it's the best part of 4pm now... and, as I type, I'm listening to Gov't Mule's 'Banks Of The Deep End'... I've been trying to get to grips with my new Cd recorder - playing things, in different ways... trying to listen to the best copy & - in that way - working out how to use the thing !!

It's a very simple machine... but, I'm still coming to terms with the way it works !! I keep getting clicks & gaps, where I don't want them - which is really a pain in the butt, as I keep saying !!

Oh well... it always takes me a while, to get my different bits & stuff, to work !! Ok - I get them to work - but, not in the way I want them to !! It's crazy.... I'm going mad, trying to get things right !!

Staying with music... I've listened to 'Thick As A Brick 2' - yesterday - and it has it's moments !! I will no doubt give it a better listen, over the coming days & weeks.... but, if you forget about it being an Ian Anderson solo project.... it works !! Nevermind...

My plans for today - well, this evening.... I don't have any - no surprises there then !! It is 'trick or treat' night - so, there might be a few of the younger kids, who live in the close, come a knocking. B has put together a load of bags of sweets....... hopefully, we won't run out, before the last one comes a knocking !!

So - with Gov't Mule's 'Effigy' playing loudly, in the background, I will be on my ways... I thank you all, for taking the time, to log in & read my words... until next time..

Bye Bye