Rudi

Rescue Me - Fontella Bass

I agree about Jenn's song. Wonderful.

It has the period 'wrapped around strings' pickup. Other than that, the body styling looks completely modern. Electro-String of course was later re-named Rickenbacker.

Yep got it. Nice performance Thanks Peggy

Peggy, Sadly cant see the video for Parker's Mood (from uk anyway). Enjoyed the Taj Mahal though.

Thanks Rob. That's a proper welcome man. Cheers

Bitches Brew - Miles Davis

Firedance nce

La PistolA y El Corozon - Los Lobos my favourite band

Happy Yuletide I dont really want anything BTW

I Feel So - Box Car Racer

A rearrangement of a guitar instrumental as a song. Its all in my head and the only coherent words are 'do it again'. No, its nothing like the Beach Boys song of the same name.

Have I been good? Actually I think I might have been; yes! It wont cut any ice with that Claus character. I told him off once in Chichester in front of witnesses. I'm blacklisted man.

I played very poorly at the last gig (last week). I was using my preferred guitar of the moment and my old faithful Fender amp, but the sound was all wrong. It may have been because the people were mostly pretty far back from the band. We were on a high-ish stage too. The sound wasn't the usual warm subtle tone I am used to. It was stark & harsh. A poor tone limits what I can play. Some people dont understand that. I dont fully understand it myself but I cant change it. Fortunately everyone else was pretty good and we seemed to go down ok. Theres another gig next Wednesday. If I take a different guitar its as if I have given up on it. Like I dont trust it. Not sure what to do at the moment. A bit of actual practice might help!

A new instrument lead. Couple of older ones (20 years old) are starting to fail. They get medals for service over & above the call of duty. I guess old leads dont die; they just fall out of love with the signal. Oh.. and a microfibre cloth

Mantovani (ref: 'Rock is Dead' thread). *%@# its awful Dont believe me? Check this out if you dare.

Insomnia Last night: I return home following an evening of dancing. I pour myself a glass of wine. I try to watch a bit of TV but fall asleep on the sofa at around 12.30. I rouse at 2.55, take my prescribed relaxant & go to bed. At 4.10 I give up trying to sleep and get up again. I’m tired but I know its pointless trying to sleep anymore. I read my e-mails and respond to one of them. When this happened last week, I sat up and read in bed. I read for 3 hours without becoming drowsy at all. I eventually rose got on with my day. Now: My alarm is set for 8.00 I’ll head back upstairs & turn it off presently. At 10.00 I have a karate class. I will go along and try to train if I can. When this happened a fortnight back I couldn’t train. Mind & body were just not up to it. Last month someone asked me how long I had suffered with insomnia. I didn’t know how to answer them. I was still at school when I went to the doctor and complained about lack of sleep. He told me I was being ridiculous. A young person like me didn’t have sleep disorders. That’s how uk doctors were in the 60s. Thinking about it, I’ve always had trouble sleeping. As a young kid of about 8 I remember lying in bed and staring at the wall in front of me. I used to imagine straight lines bouncing inside the rectangle of the wall. It was like the motion of snooker balls rebounding off the cushion, or the old computer game ‘pong’. One thing is certain. The older I get, the worse the problem gets. The last time I spoke to a doctor about this I said I usually slept better when sharing the bed with my partner Jan. He advised me to move in with her permanently. I thought that was pretty funny, but he was being serious. Ok, the sun is up now. I’ll post this now, disable the alarm & take a shower.

Hummel's Bassoon Concerto. Its light and easy listening at any time of day.

I'll look 'em up next time I'm in Lyon.

'My Name is Buddy' Ry Cooder album. Its folksie, political and blunt, except of course for when its not. Buddy is a working class ginger tomcat in a depression setting. His dearest pal is a mouse 'Lefty'. The cat & mouse thing seems a way of addressing a class & race devide. Its on louder than usual due to air conditioner white noise. Its hot today. Too hot to work or spend too long outside.

I took early retirement by means of voluntary redundancy today. The consultation was last Thursday and my employment ended today. Said my goodbyes to some great workmates and took all my 'stuff' home. It looks weird. All this stuff that doesn't belong in the house is here. Not just tools & books, but works mug, cutlery and tea caddy etc. I've worked with some of these fellows for more than 30 years. Its pretty emotional, and leaving is a bittersweet experience. I will meet up with most of them in a weeks time anyway for a dinner. Another retiree, from a month ago, will be there too. I don't ever expect to set my alarm for 6.am again. Nor work 12 hours in a day. There is plenty to do at home. All the stuff I tried to do but never finished. In fine weather I will be out trying to sort out the garden. When its inclement, I'll be inside decorating. When I dont want to work, I'll indulge in my music. Outside I'll continue (with more regularity) both my karate & dance classes. That will get me out 4 times a week. I hope to meet up with family & friends more regularly as well. I have engaged an independent financial adviser to look into my pension options. I met with a couple of them, but this one was recommended to me and he's been helpful already. So many conflicting feelings right now. Happy, sad, excited, tired...

It goes around doesnt it? After that war you marched to Canada to liberate them from the British. But they liked us and kicked yer ass all the way back home again.

None eh? ok. I'm out of here.