British Comedy Awards 2012

I'm pleased that my new BFF Jo Brand won an award and Lee Mack was deservedly Best TV Comic (male).

However... many of the nominations/awards went to programmes that I've never even heard of!!! Hunderby - what/when/why? If this was completely off my radar, despite TV promos, twitter and internet browsing, who voted for it?

Also, the clips shown for nominated sit-coms that I hadn't seen certainly didn't make me feel I'd missed anything. Were they badly selected or can un-funny stuff win awards? (Well, yes it can.)

I'm disappointed that I couldn't agree with most nominations or winners but, because I hadn't seen these (new?) programmes, I couldn't disagree either. Weird.

Hurricane Sandy Relief Rock Concert

Woke up this morning to the news of Hurricane Sandy Relief Rock Concert being a huge success last night. Either it was the best kept secret ever or I've been in a coma recently - this was the first I'd heard of it!

Who wouldn't want to have been there (not that I had a chance)? I hope it will be televised in the UK - or did I already miss that too?

I don't know the full list of participants but some of the legends included:

• Bruce Springsteen
• Bon Jovi
• The Who
• The Rolling Stones
• Eric Clapton
• Paul McCartney

plus 'newer' artists

• Chris Martin
• Alicia Keys
• Kanye West

Wow! Now that's what I call Music.

Link to Bruce Springsteen rockin' for New Orleans - Go listen, it's Brilliant!

BP2

It's (nearly) Chriiiiiiiiis-maaaaas!

Christmas 2012
Most of my family and friends are too polite to tell me if my gift choices are naff so I thought I'd try to elicit the opinions of others, prior to buying some 'surprises'. Please feel free to comment and help me out!

1. Italian Cooking & Language Lesson, £69 per person + optional meal (held in London). I'm thinking of booking this for husband & son (ulterior motive - they can cook me some yummy Italian food)

2. My husband uses Canon camera but has some old lenses for Olympus so I'm looking for  a converter so that they will work together.

3. Son likes The Riddler and Big Bang Theory: how about this T-shirt?

4. Amazon lets me print off vouchers and/or email them to multitudes of teenage nieces and nephews who can then shop on-line so I lazily opt for this. Other shops are losing out because they don't offer this flexibility.

5. Gino D'Acampo's latest book, "La Dolce Diet" - maybe for myself? Seems a bit rude to give someone a book with 'diet' in the title unless it's actually on their wish list!

6. Very impressive selection of stocking fillers -  wallet tools from TouchOfGinger.com

Other than that, I'm still searching...

Rape of Schoolgirl in North London

2012: a recent news story made me reflect on my years as a schoolgirl and the lucky escape I had at that time, not far from there.

1970: Two teenage boys were walking a few paces behind my friend and me. As we reached the entrance to playing fields, they caught up with us and pulled us away from the street. I was being physically overpowered but trying to distract the boy with conversation while my friend, who managed to escape, went to get help from a house opposite.

The man from the house shouted and the boys then ran off.

I never told my parents as I didn't want them to worry or over-protect me. I'm now a parent...

Red Lion, Welwyn, Herts

Tuesday 6th November 2012: with a few minutes thought, we suddenly found ourselves heading out to dinner in the Welwyn area. Having not tried the Red Lion (just south of the village) for a couple of years, we decided to give it a try and, from a possible 5 stars, it rated a decent 4.

Arriving at 8.20pm, there was ample parking and, on entry, a welcoming atmosphere. Recently decorated and nicely furnished. Possibly understaffed as we tried for 3 or 4 minutes to find someone to ask if we could have a table for two.

It was about half-full and we had a choice of tables. The waitress was pleasant and friendly, the menu looked good with a variety of food and a range of prices. Because we didn't have a starter, there was a bit of a wait for the main course, enough time to finish the first drinks and replenish as the main course was served.

We chose a mushroom tagliatelle - excellent - and organic sausage with crispy bacon, pureed potatoes and butterbeans - also good. For pudding, one of us had frozen yogurt with fresh berries and the other one chose cappuccino which, unfortunately, did not arrive by 9.40pm when we had to leave.

Summary: atmosphere, decor, food and drink all good, maybe slightly understaffed but the staff we encountered were good. Website: www.theredlionwelwyn.co.uk

Not Going Out, Not Getting In!

Batman under cover? Holy Steptoe & Son!

If you are going to a studio recording of Not Going Out at Teddington Studios, make a day of it. It states on the tickets that they over-subscribe due to a high number of no-shows and that people are let in on a 'first come' basis.

Here are some tips. If driving, there is parking further along the road from the studio but that could be at least 500 - 800 metres/yards. Also, your average speed for the final 7 miles will be around 11 miles per hour - I kid you not! We left  North Herts at 4pm on the dot, expecting to arrive in Teddington around 5.40pm but it was 6.10pm plus parking and walking back. Still in plenty of time as doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start and we could see that the queue wasn't too long.

We all stood, unsheltered from the rain, until the doors opened. As we neared the entrance, the queue stopped shuffling with a dozen people in front of us. Full! When we queried that the number of people let in was very small, we were told that some had already been let in earlier (even though we had arrived 10 minutes before 'doors open'). Hmm. It seems that some priority tickets are issued - not sure how you can get them.

So you need to arrive no later than 6pm and not for 6.30pm as implied. It might also be worth finding a route that doesn't use roads, as the A1 was clear but the rest of the journey was a nightmare. Alternatively, the train journey from Hertfordshire involves two changes (Kings Cross and Vauxhall), takes about 2 hours and costs around £20-£30. You won't get back till after midnight.

Time wasted, there & back = 4.5 hours
Cost of fuel (120 mile round trip) = £25

Lifestyle and British Accents

When we bought our house in 2006, it was still in its 1960-built / 1975-redecorated state. We spent a year organising the extension, planning permission, etc. and another year or two with various tradespeople building and finishing and decorating indoors and out. We still hadn't finished everything but felt that we'd spent enough!

The end result was good. In fact, everyone who walks in for the first time uses the same description, "Wow!" Not because it's ultra-super-amazing but because the inside is an unexpected upgrade from the ordinary 1960 frontage.

However, I've never managed to find much time for housework and, with a teenager in the house, it's always a manic tidy/clean when I know someone is coming, which isn't very often as I'm totally unsociable. I sometimes think it would be better to have more visitors so that the house was tidier more often. It was brilliant having builders around - I had a perpetual excuse never to clean or tidy.

There was a Scot amongst the Cockney builders but, in general, I found myself emulating the way that the 'Norf Lundoners' were speaking, despite years of living in middle-class Herts, probably because I was born and schooled in North London.

In the 1970s, I married a Scot who has now lived and worked amongst pseudo-Cockneys for much of his life and now has barely a trace of Scottish accent - except when he wants to - yet his older brother, who moved south at the same time, has never lost his Scottish accent.

There is a great round-up of accents in this video (not Hertfordshire though!)
I hope you will enjoy...

Twitter Lists and trends

I read a blog on using Twitter lists and it made me realise that I must be horrendous to follow - no wonder my number of followers goes up and down like a yoyo. If I was following me, I would have to put me in a few lists because my tweets are so random. I would put me in a THFC list (someone already has) and a F1 list, also a sci-fi list, a 'local' list and a hashtag list (because, recently, I've been very bored on the evenings and joined in lots of twitter hashtag games - this must be incredibly annoying for some followers).

I've created lists and, during THFC matches, I can restrict my interaction to a single topic with other Spurs supporters; during the Grand Prix coverage, I'll just have exchanges with F1 fans watching the Grand Prix.

This is because, during other times, we may have nothing else in common. For example, fellow Whovians might like cricket or politics - or worse: they might be gooners! Of course, if someone tweets about Sci-fi and F1, they'll be in two lists.

Of course, there are loads of people who I follow in a regular way. These are usually people with a similar sense of humour who make me laugh every day or deliver useful or local information for my everyday life.

Update re hashtag gamers... I've noticed a trend recently where some people are tweeting without socialising. The result of not bothering to read other tagged tweets is that 'original' ideas appear in several similar tweets; it also means that tweets which deserve a fave or retweet are getting overlooked.

I don't know why people follow me (thanks if you do) but I choose not to follow those who tweet TOO MUCH or who use bad swear words!

           

♫ Is She Really Going Out With Him?

One phrase links all ... ♫

The Shangri-las: Leader of the Pack (1965) link includes lyrics

The Damned. Ear defenders required.

Acapella Live version (1983) of Joe Jackson's Is She Really Going Out With Him?

♫ Dancing in the Dark Moonlight collection

Dancing in the Moonlight - Thin Lizzy (1977)
Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest (1973) & Top Loader (live)
Dancing in the Moonlight - Men Without Hats (synthetic pop)*
*Warning! Listen only if you need a migraine to pull a 'sickie' tomorrow

Dancing in the Dark (single) - Bruce Springsteen (live, Hyde Park, London, 2012)
'The Boss' is So Cool.

Dancing in the Dark - The Muppets

Recommended Music Blog: soundsandvision

Well, what do YOU think it is?

Location: Very posh hotel on the River Thames, not far from London.

Participants: James, the 'footman' (yes, really, that's how he introduced himself) and Mr P, a weekend guest, plus (uncredited) a desk manager and later, another weekend guest.

Going into Breakfast.

James: Ah Mr Pxxxxxx. I have your tea.

Mr P: Tea? Have you mixed me up with someone else?

James: No Sir, don't embarrass me. Please take the tea.

(Mr P takes packet pictured above and slips it into pocket)

An hour later, Checking out.

Guest at desk: Do you have the tea I asked for?

Desk Manager, searching: I'm sorry, Sir, it's not here.

Mr P, standing nearby: Ah, I think I know where it is...

Apparently, yes, it's a rather good breakfast tea from a posh shop in London.

Pillow Talk

Buying new pillows last week, I noticed that there were guidance notes: for those who sleep on their side, for those who sleep on their back, for those who sleep on their front. As a restless sleeper who spends each night in all those positions, I was considering which was best when an assistant offered help.

"I can't decide which is best for me," I told him, "I'm a tosser."

(I still can't believe I said that!)

♫ Mailman - RTS - Postman - Pat

I can't remember the last time I sent or received a proper hand-written letter, 3 or 4 pages of news - probably in the 1990s.

Here is my selection of songs about postmen - and not one of them mentions dangerous dogs!

Mailman, bring me no more blues - Buddy Holly

•    excellent quality youtube post with lyrics
•    original sound
•    try it yourself: Mailman guitar chords

Return to Sender - Elvis Presley
   youtube clip from the film: Girls! Girls! Girls!
   lyrics:
          Return to sender, return to sender
          I gave a letter to the post man, he put it his sack.
          Bright and early next morning, he brought my letter back.
          She wrote upon it:
               Return to sender, address unknown.
               No such number, no such zone.
               We had a quarrel, a lovers' spat,
               I'd write "I'm sorry" but my letter keeps coming back.
          So when I dropped it in the mailbox, I sent it 'Special D'
          Bright and early next morning, it came right back to me.
          She wrote upon it:
               Return to sender, address unknown.
               No such person, no such zone.
          This time I'm gonna take it myself
          And put it right in her hand
          And if it comes back the very next day
          Then I'll understand.
          The writing on it:
               Return to sender, address unknown.
               No such person, no such zone.
                   Return to sender, return to sender.
   written by Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell
   guitar tabs

Mr Postman - The Beatles
'With the Beatles' album < youtube audio track with lyrics.

Originally written by William Garnet, apparently re-written by Georgia Dobbins of the Marvelettes, also recorded by The Carpenters.

And finally...
Postman Pat

sing along!
   Postman Pat. Postman Pat. Postman Pat and his black and white cat.
   Early in the morning, just as day is dawning, he picks up all the post bags in his van.
   Postman Pat. Postman Pat. Postman Pat and his black and white cat.
   All the birds are singing, and the day is just beginning. Pat feels he's a really happy man.
        Everybody knows his bright red van, all his friends will smile as he waves to greet them,
        Maybe, you can never be sure, there'll be knock, Ring, Letters through your door.
   Postman Pat. Postman Pat. Postman Pat and his black and white cat.
   All the birds are singing, and the day is just beginning. Pat feels he's a really happy man. 
        Pat feels he's a really happy man. Pat feels he's a really happy man.

Comparing deaths

This post is in response to a recent news report of a tragic accident in London. An eye-witness said:

"It makes you think, who cares if I die of lung cancer? Because you can go anytime, anywhere, anyhow."

Hopefully, when the shock has subsided, he will reconsider this statement. Maybe he doesn't have anyone to care, in which case he is still choosing a prolonged painful death. Assuming he does have someone to care, his attitude is totally selfish. They won't want to watch his suffering.

I hope he recovers from the trauma and is able to think rationally about living well rather than dying badly. I hope he has people to care about him and I also hope that he doesn't wish to test their love by putting them through weeks or months of distress.

♫ Advertising Jingles

Brutus Jeans (takes me back, my favourites were Falmers) used this song in the mid-70s, really catchy feel-good tune with the words "When I wake up in morning light, I put on my jeans and I feel alright. I pull Brutus Jeans on, I pull my Brutus Jeans on..."

David Dundas subsequently released the full song which reached number 3 in the UK singles chart.



Other memorable advertising jingles (none of which were written by Charlie Harper) included Coca Cola's "I'd like to teach the world to sing" subsequently recorded by the New Seekers, "I'm a secret lemonade drinker" written by and featuring Elvis Costello's dad and, to finish, the brilliant Courage Best ads by Chas n Dave.

♫ Radio On

Funny how one thing leads to another. I was listening to Roadrunner by Jonathan Richman (from the mid-1970s) and decided to share with Friends on Facebook.



My cousin commented that, coincidentally, he had also been listening Jonathan Richman as they are both playing at the same festival this weekend, so I looked it up.

I had never heard of the Green Man Festival even though it's massive and in its 10th year, held in the Brecon Beacons national park in Wales. Maybe if I had known about it earlier, I could have volunteered as a litter-picker ;)

They even have an on-line radio station, Green Man Radio and TV!

Recommended Music Blog: soundsandvision

♫ The Good, The Bad and the Others ... Live Music at the Olympics

I didn't see all of it, but here is a round-up of the memorable parts of the London 2012 ceremony  (IMHO)

The Good

Getting straight to the point, The Who. Excellent performance.

Take That - and this is a major admission from someone who truly dislikes their style of music. However, by the time they took the stage, it was a pleasant change to hear in-tune singing.

One Direction - again, not my favourite style of music but very well delivered.

The Bad

Paul McCartney. If you listen to old tracks from Beatles and Wings albums, his voice was usually a bit shaky but did he not know that he couldn't deliver quality at the Olympic gig?

Ray Davies. Not quite so off-key as Sir Paul. Great song, poor delivery.

Liam Gallagher. What happened there? Had Nicola Adams punched him on the nose?

The Others

The Spice Girls sounded just as before (they lost it a bit when hanging on for dear life), Kaiser Chiefs performed a good enough rendition of Pinball Wizard, Annie Lennox was as professional as ever as was George Michael (though boring).

I was not impressed by Emeli Sandé, Russell Brand is not a singer, Jessie J should definitely NOT have attempted We Will Rock You. Brian May, brilliant as he is, cannot resurrect the dynamism of Queen without Freddy. Can't comment on Madness, Muse, Blur and some others as I missed those bits. Eric Idle - well, not really music but good fun.

The Absent

Freddy Mercury and John Lennon for obvious reasons but ... David Bowie?! Wasn't he invited or was he washing his hair?

Personally, I was pleased that Elton John and Cliff Richard were rested. I expect they would have been very competent though not very exciting.

And did I miss it or was there no inclusion of Lily Allen's LDN?

No Weddings & Three Funerals

I went to see a kids' drama club's annual showcase. The senior group wrote and performed a modern snippet of a Shakespeare play.

Juliet, an actor, is betrothed to Paris, a director, but tells him that she wants to call off the wedding because she and the light-and-sound technician, Romeo, have fallen in love.

Romeo is responsible for an accidental death and runs off. Meanwhile, Juliet plots to escape from clingy Paris by pretending to be dead. Paris is angry and, blaming Romeo for Juliet's death, Paris shoots and kills Romeo. Juliet, not really dead, awakes to discover the murder weapon next to Romeo's body and uses it to kill herself.

New setting, same tragic result. Adapted and performed by Brodie (Romeo), Chris (Paris), Katy (Juliet) and support cast from Market Theatre, Hitchin. Performed at the Queen Mother Theatre,  Summer 2012.

 

This balcony in Verona, Italy, is known as Juliet's balcony.

♫ Born to Run / Born to be Wild / Born Free / Born too late

Hard to believe that there is only a year between Born Free and Born to be Wild but this was the nineteen-sixties when there was a distinct line between middle-aged convention and an acceptance of youth culture, starting in the '50s with Teddy-boys and Rock-and-Roll and, by the mid-'60s, Mods, Rockers and Flower-Power!

Born to Run Bruce Springsteen 1975

Born to be Wild Steppenwolf 1967/68 (Easy Rider 1969)

Born Free (award winning soundtrack 1966) covers with lyrics

Born too late 1958

Personally, I can't decide whether my favourite is Born to Run or Born to be Wild. Both So Good!

Recommended Music Blog: soundsandvision

beebopalula

Remembering Every Other Word

I was travelling into London, following verbal instructions. I'm not very good at remembering things I hear so I should have written them down...

(something) Line (something) Circus (something) Street

From Kings Cross I got on the Piccadilly Line (should have been the Victoria Line) to Piccadilly Circus (should have been Oxford Circus); I began walking along Regent Street (should have been Oxford Street) until I realised that Hamleys hadn't moved, to my knowledge, so I was in the wrong place yet again.

Arrived at my destination one hour late.

French Kissing

Today I met up with another cousin (brother of the Joan Armatrading's New Guitar cousin) fresh from playing bass guitar in the Pop'pea gig in Paris and, hence, he gave me a kiss on both cheeks.

He related that, on being introduced to a friend's girl-friend last week, he went to double-kiss her but she was not expecting the second kiss and, as he moved from one side of her face to the other, he accidentally brushed his lips on hers. He blurted out an apology, "Oh sorry, I was trying to give you a French kiss."

(Oops! A bit difficult with foot-in-mouth.)

Stupid Hats and the cost of being entertained

I've been invited to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot, to accompany my husband who is more-or-less-obliged to attend as a guest in connection with his work. There are many things I'd rather be doing than dressing up and being polite all day but I have a strong sense of duty and I also realise that I'm very lucky to have this opportunity so I'm trying to be positive. (I'm really not as horrible as this makes me sound!)

Anyway, I couldn't help but add up the cost of the extras related to this little treat, even though our generous hosts are paying for the whole day out and an overnight stay in a fabulous 5-star resort. The cost of our new clothes doesn't count as we'll wear them again because, thankfully, we are not entering the Royal Enclosure so he didn't need a morning suit and I didn't have to go over top and buy a dress!

However, I'm very negative about the stupid rule about stupid hats. Hats hate me and the feeling is mutual. There is also no point to the fashionable fascinators, etc. Men wouldn't wear them (admittedly, many men don't have enough hair to put them on but that's not the point either). I managed to buy a not-quite-so-stupid-hat in a sale for only £5 so I'm OK with the cost - just not the stupid rule.

No, the real cost is as follows:

Oh, I wish!

• three hours wandering around a department store, finding nothing suitable
• several hours surfing the internet, getting more despondent
• two and a half hours traipsing around the local boutiques (bought an expensive outfit in a sale even though the trousers were a size too big)
• three hours slogging round an outlet centre trying on shoes (bought a pair) and hats (no luck)
• two hours in a shopping mall, looking at hats (got one) and bags (will now go without)
  

I have to say that my husband was brilliantly patient throughout these shopping trips and even managed to be 'nice' about my hair. Ah yes, another story...

I normally colour my hair every few weeks to lighten it a few shades from 'mousy brown' to dark blonde. I didn't notice that the colour I used yesterday contained peroxide until it was too late - I am now a shocking golden blonde with a ginge tinge so perhaps I should have bought a balaclava. The hair colour doesn't suit me at all but, rather than risk my hair falling out by colouring over it, I'm hoping to minimise the effect by having it cut fairly short later this week!

Update after Ladies Day
Mum died the day before Ladies Day so it was good to have the distraction and most of the people I met were very nice to chat to. I looked awful, of course; very drab in an oversized khaki trouser suit and tweed trilby - what was I thinking? I also lost weight soon afterwards so I've never worn the trousers since that day - obviously I've not worn the hat - and the shoes were so uncomfortable that I wore them only once more, for less than 15 minutes - ouch! Charity shop patrons have had a great bargain!

Joan Armatrading's New Guitar

I found the following exchange quite funny!

Conversation highlights:

My cousin: "Sold a guitar to a bona fide music legend today. Ladies and gentlemen... Miss Joan Armatrading"

Friend 1: "V cool - what did she buy?"

My cousin: "It was a James Tyler Variax in Lake Placid Blue"

Friend 2: "[name of mutual friend} is impressed ...he can't even think about selling any of his guitars, it causes him too much pain. He has been coveting the one you sold for a while; apparently it's quite good for switching to altered tunings when gigging without having to swap guitars? Did you sell because you weren't impressed with it?"

My cousin: "No, I sold it 'cos I work in a guitar shop"

Friend 3: "Very cool customer..... Did she do you a few verses of "What if god was one of us" while she was there?"

My cousin: "Er no, Joan Osborne might do it if she came in."

Friend 3: "Ahhhhh in that case I've no idea if your customer was cool.... If Ms Osborne ever calls in let me know and I'll have a healthy dose of awe and wonder ready prepared."

My "Not Going Out" Moment

When I was chatting with someone earlier today (might as well call him Tim) who was telling me about meeting his wife almost 30 years ago, I had my Lee Mack moment.

     Tim: I met her on a Monday

     Me: And your heart stood still?

It fell flat so I needed to share... Where's the canned laughter when you need it?

Vegetarianism: I don't eat meat & I don't like fish

This post is a suggestion of non-meat, non-fish, non-quorn and non-processed food ideas. 

My issue with meat is that I don't like the fleshy texture therefore I don't want a pretend meat substitute. My issue with fish is mainly the taste. Having said that, I try to eat it once a week for the benefits that nutritionists believe in. My third issue is processed food - whatever I eat, I like it to taste fresh! I also choose food that I like the flavour of, however 'bland', because if all you can taste is chilli or ketchup or sugar, etc., what's the point?

My favourite protein-based ingredients are nuts, mushrooms, lentils and beans which go very well with potatoes, vegetable and onion gravy for a Sunday roast. I must admit to getting annoyed with pub menus that don't take into account that cheesy tomato tart or lasagne are not ideal plate-mates for roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and (vegetarian) gravy.

Where nuts are a no-no in the kitchens of nut-allergy diners, they can be substituted by beans or chickpeas. Otherwise, whole cashews are a favourite but other nuts need to be smaller. I usually slice Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts and chestnuts.

Links to Veggie-roast Recipes

Lentil & Cashew Nut Roast
Easy Bean & Nut Roast
Simple Nut Roast
Cashew Nut Roast in Puff Pastry
Lentil & Nut Roast (cheese may be omitted)

As an accompaniment to leftover-turkey-curry at Christmas, I like to offer a fruity korma. Its basic ingredients are: caramelised onion, sweet potato, parsnip, chestnuts, banana, raisins and coconut milk. Add anything else you wish: carrots, beans, broccoli, etc.

Acknowledgement. Not all vegetarians have the same reassons for not eating meat so don't make assumptions.

♫ Let me tell you 'bout the Manfreds!

In the early-mid '60s, my favourite group after The Beatles was Manfred Mann.

In the late 1990s, I noticed that The Manfreds were performing locally (Manfred Mann, the keyboard player, was no longer in the band but the line up included both Paul Jones and Mike d'Abo, lead singers from both popular eras).  I enjoyed a fabulous evening of all the MM hits plus McGuinness Flint's 'When I'm Dead and Gone' plus 'Handbags and Gladrags' that Mike d'Abo wrote and a couple of Paul Jones solo hits - but not 'Bad Bad Boy' which was one of my all-time favourites.

Recently, I dragged the family out again to see the Manfreds with Paul Jones, who is now 70! Without Mike d'Abo, it was a different set, quite a lot of blues music, some 'B' sides plus a few hits, including 'When I'm Dead and Gone', 'Pretty Flamingo', 'Oh no, Not my baby', 'Mighty Quinn', '5 4 3 2 1', 'Do Wah Diddy' and ... yes! 'I've Been a Bad Bad Boy' (How did he know?)!

Tom McGuinness (guitar, was bass) was thoroughly relaxed and enjoying himself, Mike Hugg (keyboards, was drums) was totally absorbed in the music, 'new boys' were Rob Townsend (drums) who was clearly content on stage, singing all the songs to himself, Marcus Cliffe (5-string bass) who acted as an 'aide memoire' to the forgetful older band members and, last but not least, young Simon Currie (sax, flute, clarinet) who was enjoying his craft and delivering frequent solos.

Paul Jones, experienced front man and harmonica player, engaged the audience with a mix of charm and amusing banter. No wonder he's thin, he works so hard!

Manfreds Tour Dates

RIP Jack Bruce, former Manfred, October 2014

 

Recommended Music Blog: soundsandvision

Thieves & Charity Swap Shops. So Many Questions.

A rising trend of thefts from charity shops is puzzling. Items in the shops are priced very cheaply so what kind of person needs to steal them? If they are so poor that they can't spend £2 on a jacket, surely they would be candidates for receiving the goods free? Is there a charity that provides clothing to poor families in the UK, maybe via swap shops or recycling centres?

What drives people to steal from charity shops? Maybe a 'risk assessment' tells the perpetrator that charity shops are 'soft' targets or that low value theft means less severe punishment. Or maybe it's a short-cut for people who need those items? Many people would rather risk being labelled as thieves than admit to needing charity.

Is it easier to take than to ask? Probably. It's certainly quicker and you're not risking a negative response. Is it less embarrassing to steal anonymously (unless caught, of course) than to be recorded as a 'loser' who needs charity? Certainly in some people's opinions.

It seems that the decision to shun help from 'do-gooders' and resort to law-breaking may be based on retaining what little pride is left by keeping their anonymity. I'm so lucky that I haven't had to find out for myself.

Unwanted Fame

If I ever do something really stupid in my own home, I'd like to remain anonymous, please. After all, the world isn't interested in the many other things I've done.

If, for example, I'd accidentally set myself alight by pouring petrol from one canister to another near a naked flame, I'd be quite happy for the anecdote to be used as a warning to help others to avoid the devastating results from doing the same thing. I would NOT be happy with having my name and photograph on prime time TV, forever associated with one idiotic act in an otherwise uneventful life.

Did the woman (who will remain nameless in this blog) provide the photograph, her name and age to reporters and agree to her '15 minutes of fame'/infamy? Fair enough, if she did. But did she? I wouldn't have thought she was thinking clearly enough or able to speak coherently at the time, let alone rummage around for a nice photograph and give an interview. No one else had the right to publicise her personal information and the public doesn't need that level of detail.

Fire Safety Notes.

• Fuel vapour, as has been demonstrated, is highly flammable and should never be in an open container in the home. Even without cooking on the gas hob, there may be pilot lights on gas hobs and gas boilers.
• Fire blankets are a very useful precaution (more usually for cooking disasters, such as chip pan fires).
• Remember that if you smell gas in the home, even a small spark from turning on an electric light could ignite.