I think I must have nomadic genes. I've lived in some really great places yet I always have an urge to move on even though I don't necessarily want to. Why is this?
The first two or three moves were 'up the ladder' but after that it was just a change for no real reason which, financially, wasn't always for the better. For example, we moved from a modern house that we'd totally re-built to an old thatched house a mile away.
Since we married, we've bought and done up 7 houses and rented one for over a year while we re-built our previous home. Our current home is almost perfect so why have we spent the past couple of years looking for somewhere else? (Which, I might add, has proved difficult because we like where we are so much.)
When we first moved here, it was because we needed to be in the town and the choice of houses available was slim so it was a compromise. Our previous five houses were in rural locations so there was a lot of new stuff to get used to in a town: more noise, street-lights spoiling the dark of the night, neighbours a bit too close... However, there was the excitement of being able to walk to shops, restaurants and even a football stadium!
We must have got used to the noise and artificial light as they seem to be acceptable now and we are very lucky to have reasonably quiet neighbours who don't intrude. There is rarely a reason to walk into town but we sometimes do and we are also near to a countryside walk. This is, in fact, a near-perfect location - which is why we're having trouble moving on... but we're looking!
25 September 2013
19 September 2013
The Big Bad 40
For my 40th birthday, my husband bought me a lovely 3-opal antique ring. Good start! A month later, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with a great party followed by a week in Portugal, returning to England to move house the following week... Whew!
The house move, a result of us both being made redundant and having to downsize quickly, was stressful (quart into a pint) and work began immediately on the renovation. Meanwhile, the dog began acting oddly and we knew he wasn't well so we took him to the vet who operated without delay (cancer) and told us 3 days later that he had pulled through and should be able to come home soon. The vet called back a few hours later to say that, unfortunately, he just died.
Our change of address required that we changed our GP and had to undergo check-ups. It transpired that I was 3 months pregnant (a vague memory of celebrating our anniversary with a bit too much to drink) and I hadn't realised because life was so busy and stressful and - hey, I'm 40! So that's why I'd gone off coffee and ate lots of avocados (rich in folic acid).
We got over the initial shock and arranged to visit my parents to tell them, came back, then a neighbour brought our dead cat round - he'd been run over.
The father-to-be found a full time job and we had a holiday in Italy. Then the worst news: dad's 'ulcer' turned out to be aggressive cancer and he was given 3 to 6 months to live. He survived four more months but never saw his lovely and perfect grandson who was born two weeks after the funeral.
Wow, so to recap:
All in under a year - I've had some birthdays since but 40 was certainly a memorable age.
The house move, a result of us both being made redundant and having to downsize quickly, was stressful (quart into a pint) and work began immediately on the renovation. Meanwhile, the dog began acting oddly and we knew he wasn't well so we took him to the vet who operated without delay (cancer) and told us 3 days later that he had pulled through and should be able to come home soon. The vet called back a few hours later to say that, unfortunately, he just died.
Our change of address required that we changed our GP and had to undergo check-ups. It transpired that I was 3 months pregnant (a vague memory of celebrating our anniversary with a bit too much to drink) and I hadn't realised because life was so busy and stressful and - hey, I'm 40! So that's why I'd gone off coffee and ate lots of avocados (rich in folic acid).
We got over the initial shock and arranged to visit my parents to tell them, came back, then a neighbour brought our dead cat round - he'd been run over.
The father-to-be found a full time job and we had a holiday in Italy. Then the worst news: dad's 'ulcer' turned out to be aggressive cancer and he was given 3 to 6 months to live. He survived four more months but never saw his lovely and perfect grandson who was born two weeks after the funeral.
Wow, so to recap:
- big birthday,
- big happy anniversary party,
- sold house,
- bought house,
- moved house,
- dog died,
- cat died,
- renovated house,
- decorated house,
- gave birth,
- dad died.
All in under a year - I've had some birthdays since but 40 was certainly a memorable age.
40+
28 August 2013
♪ Early 60s round up - ask your Gran if she remembers...
Perhaps not so well-known as British legends Cliff Richard, Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown or Lonnie Donegan, we present...
John Leyton
actor/singer: successfully escaped in The Great Escape, Von Ryan's Express. UK hit records ♪♫ Johnny Remember Me & Wild Wind
Adam Faith
singer/actor: hit singles What Do You Want, Poor Me, Lonely Pup; several films; went on to star in TV series Budgie and Love Hurts with Zoe Wannamaker
Eden Kane
singer, eldest of the Sarstedt brothers: hit records include Well I Ask You & Get Lost.
Craig Douglas
singer: Only Sixteen, When My Little Girl Is Smiling
Emile Ford
(originally from St. Lucia) hits include: What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For, Slow Boat To China, Counting Teardrops, Them There Eyes.
Tommy Steele
(actor/singer) The Duke Wore Jeans, Half A Sixpence, Little White Bull, What A Mouth, Flash Bang Wallop (What A Picture)
Frankie Vaughan
singer: Green Door, Garden of Eden, Tower of Strength, Don't Stop - Twist! Plus about a hundred other singles
Mike Sarne
actor/singer: several acting roles plus hit singles Come Outside (with Wendy Richard) & Just For Kicks
Female artists:
Kathy Kirby: Secret Love
Susan Maughan: Bobby's Girl
Helen Shapiro: Please Don't Treat Me Like A Child, Walking Back To Happiness
Because They're Young - Duane Eddy.
Beebopalula
16 August 2013
♪ ♫ Ghost Riders in the Sky on the Storm
Hmm, bit of a mashed up title mixing two great songs linked by the word 'Riders'. I just can't decide which of the songs I like best. No contest, though, as to the best video (in my opinion).
Writing this post was inspired by the previous blog post featuring Riders on the Storm and, coincidentally, saw a tweeted link to Frankie Laine's Ghost Riders in the Sky which featured a great video - so good that it's included below for you to enjoy...
Writing this post was inspired by the previous blog post featuring Riders on the Storm and, coincidentally, saw a tweeted link to Frankie Laine's Ghost Riders in the Sky which featured a great video - so good that it's included below for you to enjoy...
12 August 2013
The Doors
A vague title that allows a number of items to be covered. Obviously, in musical terms, reference to the artists who gave us Riders on the Storm is a must, and the video below is a 'must see' for Doors fans. It's 7 minutes so here's some information to read while it plays...
This post also refers to patio doors of many kinds:
Bi Folding Doors are retractable which means that they open completely to the sides of the opening, allowing maximum width of access. They are double-glazed doors with side frames on which the hinges are attached to enable the doors to zig-zag open as they slide and fold. Double-glazing, therefore each door, is quite heavy so that the frame and hinges need to carry that weight, carry that weight a long time. This means that stronger aluminium framed doors can be manufactured with slimmer frames than pvc, which is how to tell them apart at a distance. SunSeeker Doors is a manufacturer and installer of aluminium framed bi folding doors.
Sliding Doors can overlap to open or retract into the wall (pocket doors). There are manufacturers who create glass sliding doors that are better than the 'bog-standard' patio door; these include extra large glass doors with panels up to 3 metres by 6 metres, sliding doors that open from a corner, plus curved glass doors and windows. All are available from Sightline Doors.
Slide and Turn Doors are fully retractable, similar to bi-folds but without hinges, therefore all doors open independently. Available with UltraSlim side frames or as Frameless glass doors, they are manufactured by SunSeeker Doors and ideal modern replacements for old patio doors or as room dividers. Demonstrations of Slide and Turn Doors are available on YouTube.
This post also refers to patio doors of many kinds:
- bi folding doors (various frames)
- sliding doors (various shapes & sizes)
- slide & turn doors (various frames)
Bi Folding Doors are retractable which means that they open completely to the sides of the opening, allowing maximum width of access. They are double-glazed doors with side frames on which the hinges are attached to enable the doors to zig-zag open as they slide and fold. Double-glazing, therefore each door, is quite heavy so that the frame and hinges need to carry that weight, carry that weight a long time. This means that stronger aluminium framed doors can be manufactured with slimmer frames than pvc, which is how to tell them apart at a distance. SunSeeker Doors is a manufacturer and installer of aluminium framed bi folding doors.
Sliding Doors can overlap to open or retract into the wall (pocket doors). There are manufacturers who create glass sliding doors that are better than the 'bog-standard' patio door; these include extra large glass doors with panels up to 3 metres by 6 metres, sliding doors that open from a corner, plus curved glass doors and windows. All are available from Sightline Doors.
Slide and Turn Doors are fully retractable, similar to bi-folds but without hinges, therefore all doors open independently. Available with UltraSlim side frames or as Frameless glass doors, they are manufactured by SunSeeker Doors and ideal modern replacements for old patio doors or as room dividers. Demonstrations of Slide and Turn Doors are available on YouTube.
Post submitted by The BPc on behalf of clients.
Thanks for listening!
Thanks for listening!
Music Analysis 1960s & 50 years later
Why did songs from the 1960s convey feelings of unrequited love or of the hurt that follows rejection, whilst the trend today is more about sex or aggression? Discuss.
There was limited social acceptance of teenage boys and young men admitting to 'soft' feelings in real life during the 1960s therefore the rock-and-roll outlet was a credible alternative to release the angst and share with others who were secretly feeling the same way.
So many examples come to mind from Ben E King's 1961 hit Stand By Me, Go Now in 64/65, and a number of Lennon-McCartney songs, including: I'm A Loser, If I Fell, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, Don't Let Me Down (okay so they are mainly John Lennon's lyrics - he had a lot of angst).
These days, homosexual relationships are not illegal (it was a criminal offence in the 1960s) and it is more acceptable for boys to confess their 'soppy' feelings to sympathetic ears, male or female. It is less 'taboo' to harp on about sex (previously disguised in songs as 'making love') unlike in 1969, when Je T'Aime… Moi Non Plus was banned in several countries for being too explicit.
There are other frustrations for today's youth, leading to a growth in rap (ranting-to-a-beat) which, regretfully, I'm unable to comment on as I haven't listened to much of it, except some Run DMC which is the exception that proves the rule!
Agree or disagree? Please feel free to comment but keep it polite and keep it clean, thanks.
There was limited social acceptance of teenage boys and young men admitting to 'soft' feelings in real life during the 1960s therefore the rock-and-roll outlet was a credible alternative to release the angst and share with others who were secretly feeling the same way.
So many examples come to mind from Ben E King's 1961 hit Stand By Me, Go Now in 64/65, and a number of Lennon-McCartney songs, including: I'm A Loser, If I Fell, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, Don't Let Me Down (okay so they are mainly John Lennon's lyrics - he had a lot of angst).
These days, homosexual relationships are not illegal (it was a criminal offence in the 1960s) and it is more acceptable for boys to confess their 'soppy' feelings to sympathetic ears, male or female. It is less 'taboo' to harp on about sex (previously disguised in songs as 'making love') unlike in 1969, when Je T'Aime… Moi Non Plus was banned in several countries for being too explicit.
There are other frustrations for today's youth, leading to a growth in rap (ranting-to-a-beat) which, regretfully, I'm unable to comment on as I haven't listened to much of it, except some Run DMC which is the exception that proves the rule!
Agree or disagree? Please feel free to comment but keep it polite and keep it clean, thanks.
BP2
06 August 2013
♪ Great 'Mama' Songs!
Mama Mia - obvious, so obvious, too obvious. Well, That's All Right Mama because there are far better ones! Mama, oo-ooh, didn't mean to make you cry... Mama told me not to come... ♪♫ Here's the Three Dog Night version:
Recommended Music Blog: soundsandvision
Beebopalula
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