Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head. Literally. I’m growing the hair and beard again, but this time trying to keep the facial fuzz tidier, so I comb it first thing and last. If this is the last thing I post in 24 then, rightly, you would put me down for a boring bustard, but I’m not, don’t think so anyway, no, definitely not boring.
Nearly 2025, for me good health, real advances on the guitar, fishing,drawing,painting front. Kids thriving. Not worked for ten years. Read Shakespeare and Wodehouse virtually daily, and Man Utd are heading towards the drop zone with the new manager and the same players. Eating very well, simple, all real food, home made, no factory produce. And if anyone reads this and takes something from it take that last morsel.
Of course the elephant in the room is Carol’s illness. It isn’t going away, never will, but at the end of the year she is feeling as good as can be expected. Hope I can say the same thing this time next.
Not sure what to expect, Xmas eve session at Old Colwyn. After the big storm the fishing went right off, tried couple of day sessions but they are not brilliant in winter. The conditions were really good and I started getting touches about half an hour after dark, then, virtually bite a cast. Good fish too, nearly kept them for the pan, I will be day for sure, but just glad to have another good few hours, great fun on light tackle and home made rigs.
New project. Right, the classical stuff is not easy but I’m doing it, scales, arpeggios, reading, test pieces etc. Obviously plenty of practice but it is a slow learner. Also, I learn songs, which I love doing, and different chord progressions for different music, jazz, bossa nova etc. And I am beginning to understand the nuts and bolts of it which makes it far more interesting. So, what I need are backing tracks. I know YouTube does it but it isn’t good, therefore, I’m going to begin the process of making my own. It’s what people do now, home recording, a lot to learn and a bit of gear to shell out for but why not eh?
I would like to believe I’m grateful for how things have turned out but I’m not, yet, not completely, but I am trying to be. Like the other skills it has to be practiced and the small wins built on. It is the key, hope I can make it.
In one of the toughest places to learn the skills, and after many years, virtually every week, three times a week, gym work, utter dedication. Adam and Daniel Parker, purple belt.
Since 1980. The number of people in the world with clinical obesity has doubled. The number of people with type 2 diabetes has quadrupled. ADHD has risen exponentially. Inflammatory disease is too prevalent to quantify, as is mental health disorder. Since 1980 the consumption of products for human consumption that are intensely processed has risen to the extent that, today, they are the main source of diet for the majority of advanced western civilisation. And it isn’t going to stop.
Daily activities still on the go, every day. I believe if you want a big win (whatever that means to you) then stack up a raft of small wins. I’m getting into music theory as well as playing, my reading (music) is still Jack and Jill, but I understand scales, chord structures, some aspects of harmonic progression, diatonic relations. I can play a bit too. Don’t like to harp back but it would be interesting to see what would have happened if I could do this in my twenties, probably burn out. Painting and drawing, yep, the confidence is growing, I’m sure there are plenty of folk with criticism to chuck but do I give of fuck? I’ve shown you mine show me yours.
There are parameters of success in human life. I think of them in two categories. First, material, where do you start and where are you now. House, job, financial status, future proofing, all of that. We all know about this one, it requires almost constant effort, a fair bit of luck, and an animal selfishness. It also requires (very often) implementation of character role alien to your inner self. This is a major cause of anxiety. It is one reason why humans intake release chemicals, or pop off to a Himilayan retreat. But you do have to come back, and it doesn’t let go. Or you can drop out, or give up, or blame someone else (parents, schools, governments) If you choose this option you will fail and no-one will genuinely listen to you or give you what you really want, as you fall.
Second, this is you.
Saturday end of November, the kids came up for a visit. Don’t seem to gave a pic with Adam on but he was there.
Another night session, who would have thought it eh? Tried the sandeels but just too fiddly and squashy, went back onto the lug with the new rig and it was not possible to fish two rods as it went as soon as it hit the water. Nice quality whiting – got to try eating them soon – and I hit into them virtually every cast, a few doubles as well, brilliant fishing from my perspective.
Fished with Darren Jones from Shorehuggers UK, very good, experienced sea angler. Got some valuable tips and information that I will use, especially the sandeel rig which I am using from hence. Again it was a good session, a bite expected every cast which is exactly how I like it. Couldn’t care less about catching monsters but I do insist on fishing as light as possible and at Old Colwyn I can do that.
In the Country of the Blind the one eyed man is king. From a story by H.G.Wells, but the moral is that he wasn’t because the humans had adapted into a new species and had developed sonar as a mobility sense. So instead of being an advantage his sight was a hindrance. And he should have kept schtumm. As with all great stories we can learn from them and apply the lesson to how we live in our own times, maybe.
Gone a bit colder but I’m still going for a session at my new favourite place, Old Colwyn. Following the whiting fest last week I have made some rigs with bigger hooks, squid and lug wraps made up, and night tip lights. Don’t know what this session will do, who does with sea fishing? I might not even get a spot, however, how good is it that I can cycle there in quarte of an hour along one of the best proms in Brirain, ace!
Oh if anyone is in need of some really brilliant doctors here are a few I recommend. Real food diet…outdoors in the fresh air…daily integrated exercise….abstinence from drugs…good quality rest…personal creativity…self respect.
Just about ten years since I stopped returning to the daily prison that is generally called working for money. It is an apex life achievement to be able to wake up and face a day that is mainly yours. Of course this has to be allied to a standard of material life that is acceptable the individual and mine – I thank you very much – is tickety boo. There are downsides, life is like that, and we are in the middle of a terrible one, but the day is still there to be used. And I will use it, like all the others.
Interesting. Night fishing at Old Colwyn, takes a bit of getting used to and a couple of modifications to rigs (isn’t there always) but almost a bite a cast. Plenty of nice whiting – which I might try filleting next time – plus a flattie and a new species which is a type of rocking
Been to Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel for a two night spa break. Well it would have been a spa break if the spa had been open which it wasn’t. Complained and got nowhere but, when we got back we discovered that we should have been offered a full refund after the first night, so, we are seeking recompense. It was a pity because this was an alternative to going abroad which we can’t do. Shouldn’t put us off though as this was just not a great first effort.
I’m going to try evening fishing at Old Colwyn. Potentially this should be good for whiting and, on the light tackle, might be good sport.
November 10th, things still kind of alright at home given the circumstances, managed another session at Old Colwyn, it’s actually good, seeing it’s this time of year a few mackerel and plenty of small bait fish. Smart little platform and a great bike ride.
Had a mini session at the new fishing platform at Old Colwyn. Cycled there, which was pleasant and it is a comfortable place to fish. No bites till I dropped my light rig down the side and I had a pollack and mackerel in successive casts, well pleased. Of course thus gives me another option, especially as I can get there quickly. Although it juts out it is still only fishable during the tide pattern, but that’s ok because in winter I don’t want to be out all say. Also I can fish when it’s a bit gloomy, evenings/mornings, for the whiting…get the rigs sorted and I’m off!
Into my second reading of Shakespeare, The History plays first, supplemented by watching The Hollow Crown which is a first rate production with top batters. Of course there is nothing close to S although, like The Beatles, there is a world of other amazing work. I’m over half way through the Wodehouse books (nearly a hundred) and they are the summit of comic prose, so influential when you think on it. So much to be thankful for.
There was a lad at school (see In Preston) called Adrian Moon, from a rough district, didn’t seem to belong to any group of friends. During the first few term/years he got roughed about a bit, I wouldn’t say bullied because it didn’t seem to affect him. One day he said to me that by the fifth form he would have taken so many tumbles he would be hard enough to beat anybody. His theory worked and during the last year he was a terror. I feel the same about life, now, at 65, fit, healthy, educated, experienced, retired (10 years) very comfortable, enthusiastic, busy, I feel well able to play a set. I wonder what Aidrian Moon is doing now, or if he’s even alive, do I care?
Following a couple of UPF groups on Facebook, quite surprised (or am I?) that people seem to be unaware of what constitutes these products. Once the scales drop it is hard not to see them, but then that goes for a lot of things. Replacement baby milk shocked me. I did think they would not be allowed to lace this with the usual suspects (factory oils, sugar, chemicals and other nasties) but the list is extensive. What chance has anyone got when you are addicted – and UPF is highly addictive – from the cradle? Watch this year’s Xmas Royal Institute lectures.
One of the pluses about doing stuff on a semi-serious level, is that you understand that not getting things quite right is a positive. While it might be a bit itchy if I can’t remember a song I’ve played fifty times, or a fishing trip wasn’t brilliant, it makes me want to improve – always. In a way I wish I had known this earlier in life, then, maybe, the jackasses who never do anything but always seem to give you a little dig, would have got to me less. I don’t, for instance, hesitate about putting my art stuff on here, why should I, I know l, fir example that when I draw noses I always make them a bit longer than they should be, I will get it right but it’s a process. And I’m beginning to enjoy it.
Up and at ’em! 65 today, 7am bit of brekky, tea – not tea bags, obviously, why would I drink factory floor scrapings that PG charges me to put in a plastic bag when I can, well, drink tea. Wholemeal oat bread, made yesterday – I tend to prefer bread without loads of sugar, industrial lubricants, additives (chalk, niacin,thiamin, raising agents, anti-mould preservatives – but, unfortunately, you can’t buy that in the shops. Nevermind, get the ingredients – flour, yeast, water etc – and make it yourself, easy, delicious and with a huge, self-congrat pat on the back.
Probably going fishing today, just to the pool, Carol’s family is staying over so its an opportunity. Not getting enough proper walking in, unavoidable of course, but I intend to sort that out. Anyway, just finished a Shakespeare chapter, probably do a bit of guitar, progressing very nicely, and then sort me tackle out…well you’ve got to do a bit haven’t you?
Got to do stuff, really doesn’t matter what it is, life is on a bit of a plate for a lot of people but you shouldn’t waste it, really. Just re-watched the remarkable Beatles film Get Back, in a way they fucked about a lot but they always had an ear for the out of the ordinary and, eventually they pulled out one miracle after another. But they worked. And they used their experience. This alone is a great inspiration, doesn’t matter if things don’t turn out great, but you’ve always done something.
Bought some new watercolour paints and paper, decent stuff this time. I’ve got a feeling about buying stuff for interests, if you want to get decent with what you fancy doing then put the practice in. Buying good gear doesn’t make anybody good. I’m not saying I am good at anything (although I pretty much am) but one thing I do is have a schedule of work/practice and I follow it. One thing that’s virtually guaranteed is that you will get better, I don’t know at what pace but it will happen.
A few days ago I transposed Ticket to Ride from A to G worked out the chord melody pattern and substituted jazz chords for standard in the chorus. Always thought doing that was a bit sacrilegious but it does sound alright and, most importantly, the originals are unimpeachable.
Fruits: Banana, pear, pineapple, peach, blackberry, kiwi, orange, figs, dates, prunes, gogi berries.
Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, onion, brussels, mushrooms (fungi), red pepper, cauliflower.
Bread: Homemade wholemeal, homemade oat and honey, homemade yogurt flatbread.
Other: Mixed seeds, three eggs, homemade rock cakes, good quality cheese, butter, natural honey.
That lot was yesterday, it will be today and tomorrow. It has been a variance of that for a long time. One of the pitiful aspects of modern western life (you could term it American life) is trying to exercise off a chronicUP diet. I know, I’ve tried – very hard. It will build strength, stamina and cardio, but it will not touch the upstream cause of the malaise. Better to eat well first, although that is much harder to achieve.
Ever wonder what it would be like to experience a different epoch in history. What would daily life have been like, for instance, during one on the plagues? No need to imagine that, you’re living through one right now.
The interesting stat is not how long a person in the UK is expected to live (about 83 for a bloke) but how long you are expected to stay healthy. Big difference. National Office of Statistics have conducted (ongoing) the largest survey of health ever in the modern world, and in the UK – it varies considerably as to where you live – the health age expectancy for a male is 62.8, and falling. I’m 65 in two weeks, no health issues mental or physical.
Interesting that Manchester has so many places to eat, all inviting of course, yet no real food to eat. If – like fags – produce was packaged plainly and had something like…Bread: with sugar, industrial oils and added chemicals…Cereal: high sugars and salt added, no nutritional value…Bacon/Cooked meat…World Health Organisation rated carcinogenic…Cola/fizzy drinks…Highly addictive, proven risk to health. I wonder what people would do? And the list is endless, almost everything you (yes you!) eat consume is scarcely food, you wouldn’t feed it to a zoo animal. And you wonder why you can’t get an appointment at a doctor’s surgery.
.
Having a weekend in Manchester, saw Adam and Daniel today and Katie yesterday, kids are doing great.
Can’t say there is a great deal going on at the moment, apart from the elephant. Not doing much daily walking, well we do go out but Carol is obviously very restricted with distance/pace, this means that most of the time is indoors. Not too bothered about that but I am doing more exercise inside, and I am doing the household work as well, cleaning, shopping, cooking etc so that takes a bit of effort, especially as it is not a small house. Still very much at it with the regular stuff, guitar, painting, drawing. Concentrated practice, you train the brain in the day and deep learn when you’re asleep. Also, and maybe a bit guiltily – although I don’t know why that should be – I feel fucking great.
On the way back from doing the weekly shop at Marks and Spencer, that in itself is a thing, not the shopping I’ve always done that, but the Marks and Spencer – always never for me, but it is now. And it’s a cold bleedin’ store, makes the food good though. No processed gunk, definitely no store bought bread, terrible stuff. Right see ya, bus is pulling in.
Session at Holyhead yesterday, long way but a great day out and very good exercise. Got a few but it is a long way for fishing, might have to have a re-think.
First thing every morning (after yoga) it’s a brew and a read. Wodehouse one day Shakespeare the other. About fifty-odd into P.G and into my second reading of all the plays. Nearly finished Richard 2, and I reckon I’ll carry on with the histories. I wrote a piece about sonnets 1-18 which I sent off and which came back like unused toilet paper, it’s here somewhere and the reason the site is called what it is.
Into September now and things haven’t changed much, nothing doing really apart from repeating what I do daily. Maybe just a word on food, pretty much don’t eat anything hyper-processed. This is harder than it sounds when you first start but, now, it is second nature. All my own bread and cakes, and no cakes aren’t ‘bad’ for you, nothing is really bad for you unless it gets mashed up, chemicallised and packaged as ‘food’ in a factory. Apple and rhubarb crumble, mmm delicious, well mine is because this is what is in it. Rhubarb (allotment) apples (allotment) oats, plain flour, cane sugar, butter, cinnamon. Make a batch and it lasts in the fridge a week, cost, next to fuck all. And, after you’ve softened the fruit keep the juice and have it with sparkling water, beats any of the canned poison.
Circumstances aren’t getting any better. Carol is at the weekend of the third round of treatment and she is as poorly as the other times. It gets harder because there doesn’t seem anything to work towards other than not being very ill. Nothing much else to say other than we have to carry on, at least we are in a lovely place to live.
Music theory is starting to make a bit of sense. For example, my practice today was to work out – and play of course – 2-5-1 jazz progressions (7ths) in the diatonic major scale. And I understood how it worked. And I could play them. Don’t ask me to improvise over them (although I’d have a go) but it is a buzzwhen it drops.
Near the end of August, Carol is doing ok given the circumstances but we are living daily with an elephant in the room. I am still doing my stuff but the outside activities are curtailed. Saying that I walk to the allotment regularly and the walk to the local shops is as lovely and invigorating as you would want.
“Wise men ne’er sit and wail their woes, But presently prevent the ways to wail”
The fishing is taking a backseat at the moment for obvious reasons, this isn’t helped by the pier management stopping fishing. Not that bothered about it as it made me check out Holyhead (which is better) but the pier is handy for a quick couple of hours; might have a cast at North Shore if the conditions are right. Still reading Wodehouse and Shakespeare daily, they are on top for a reason. Know which classical guitar I’m getting when the funds are right, Cordoba C10, reckon I’m at the level now.
Couple of pics from the short break, as I mentioned below it wasn’t great but it did get us away from the elephant for a bit.
Another short break which, after consideration, may be the last of its kind, at least for the forseeable. Porthmadog and Aberysthwyth (or however it is spelt) Actually it was not good, sea front hotel but shabby rooms and a student town that has nothing on where we live, and a long journey as well. so, instead, we are planning overnight spa breaks in good hotels closer to home. Well, the new season is underway so that’s good. As usual keeping up with the other stuff and it’s going well. The charcoal sketch below took only a few minutes, I was going to do more on it but I like the way it turned out.
August. Carol has had a good week up to the second course of treatment, we even had a couple of cycle rides and, for a brief time, it felt a bit like the normal time, but this is the new normal and we have a big elephant with us. The weekend of the 2-3rd was not good, four days after treatment and extreme fatigue with sickness.
Had another session at Holyhead, not quite as good as last time but, with any new venue (especially sea) there is a lot of information to process to get better, that’s what makes it interesting. A young lad fishing to my left hooked a conger which I landed for him on the steps, having a go for one of them next time. A long day with trains and all, lot of waling with the tackle but the day after felt fit and could have gone again. Also had an afternoon session at Clobryn, fished the normal method and had one a cast for three hours. Still filling the days with the stuff I do, also listening to some music that I would normanly not do and, though I would say it is interesting I still don’t get the buzz. Also, I like The National and I worked out one of the songs by theory, ie it is in the key of A and follows the 1 3 5 6 pattern which I can play in triads anywhere on the fretboard to get a different sound
And pastures new it is. Train at 8 to Holyhead to fish off the longest breakwater in the UK 1.7 miles. It is a bit of a walk from the station and the bastard weather changed upside down from warm, calm sunny to breezy, squally late October. But. The fishing and the ambience were different. What a pleasure it is not to have to react to people both on my way there and when I’m actually fishing, something that I vever got at the pier or Llanddulas. Bite first cast, down the side, wrasse. Nothing on the big rod but, bang, bang bang, into one. If the weather had held I would have stayed all day, smashed my PB ballan and had corkies and goldsinneys, can’t wait to get back, the pier? what pier?
Middle of July, just announced they have stopped the fishing from the pier, disappointed but then again pastures new eh?
Listening to music again. Not just the stuff I’m familiar with, for instance, the first Paul Mc album after the Beatles (well actually just before) is really amazing, it is important – for me – to listen to it as a new work by the greatest songwriter in history and not just as an ex-Beatle. Same thing with John L his first work is astonishing
Another couple of projects I’m on, out of the blue, reading Ernest Hemingway and watching Stanley Kubrick. Obviously from the beginning of each to pick up the development and try to feel the influences, both fore and aft. The first book The Sun Also Rises is nearly a hundred years old and it must have impressed when it first appeared. It is sparse and well-written. Only a third through. We’ll see. By his own word the first Kubrick is a student piece, the second The Killings is watchable and well acted with a script that Tarrantino must have liked the taste of.
Had a couple of sessions on the pier in the evening, my new rigs/method for the pollack are working a treat and are getting plenty of action in two or three hours. Oddly no wrasse or pouting yet, I’ll have a look in the diary to see when they appeared last year. Still painting, still drawing, still playing guitar. As for the latter I’m back to the grade 4 book, theory is well advanced but the reading is a bit off.
For who not needs shall never lack a friend.
The small allotment did well with spring cut flowers, kale and chard earlier in the year. All these are now up and the summer cut flowers are doing well. Put some beetroot, beans, herbs and a few other bits in. In honesty I have it more for the lovely position it is in which is at the foot of Bryn Eurin, a nature reserve with a thousand year old fort at the top.
July
Just got back from a weekend in Manchester, staying with Steven and Rasa in Didsbury at their new home. Had Saturday morning with Katie who has just got the keys to her first property, an apartment only a short distance away also in Didsbury. She is understandably chuffed as she has worked two jobs on her own to get the mortgage.
The kids came up for the weekend. Although we are close we haven’t been all together for about a year, it can be a little chaotic but it is always fun.
June.
Short break in Liverpool, we’re trying to make the best of it while Carol is able too. Pretty nice hotel and the weather is good, strange that I don’t know the place that well and I brought with it a bag of preconceptions. The place has history around every corner and not only because of The Beatles,
Middle of June, we’ve just got back from a stayover in Caernarvon, nice place been a few times. We are now tailoring our time together to fit with the physical demands of Carol’s conditions
The 5th, things are still upside down. All the hobbies are doing alright, putting the hours in. Adam and Danie have returned from their Japan basedlong holiday – well they went all over really. Katie is moving into her first property in a few weeks.
May
Not doing any painting at the moment, that usually happens when the summer stuff kicks in. Also I am drawing everyday, faces, and I’m pleased with how it’s progressing. The guitar/music theory aspect is very rewarding, again doing it everyday.
Don’t want to talk about what is happening other than Carol is very poorly. Accordingly I have given up the admin of the fishing club and have now no communication with them. Still practice guitar and the drawing (Ithink) is progressing favourably. Had another very good session on the pier, methods are working…and what a bonus!!
Went again – to the pier – on Thursday and another session yesterday (Sat) Very good again, really think I know a bit about fishing it now, seasons, tides etc. Yesterday, for example, the crew from EEurope were there bunging out and catching pollack – small ones and keeping them all, I fished the right hand corner and had a nice tub gurnard a few dogs and then mackeral by the mulitiples, giant spider crab too.
Saturday of the bank holiday, usually this would be the last choice for a pier session, however, with things as they are, I had a chance to go, so I did. And I was on my own till my Turkish friend arrived, don’t even know his name but I’ve fished with him a few times and he is a good bloke. I took just one rod with a few sabikis, he wasn’t even getting a bite on the bigger baits but when the pollack started he switched to sabikis and it was mayhem, 2-3-4 at a time, not massive but incredible sport, no exageration but we must have had around 100ish in an hour.
Bad times, then, incredibly, not so bad. Even so, still painting, drawing, and playing. Even managed a stint on the pier, got some more info through watching anotther bloke, so now I’m pretty confident about various methods all geared to catching. Had a few dogs, a few pollack and a flattie all on light tackle.
April
How to control your thoughts? If you can you have a superpower as most thoughts are not much good. Memories, for instance, are usually the not so great ones, so what’s the point in having them. I’ve been trying recently to think of nothing, hard to do as thoughts are like water seeping into a sponge, but i like the feeling when little is taking my attention, less effort all round. And it makes you aware of other stuff, I’ll keep trying at it I reckon.
Funnily I’m losing interest in fishing. Not so much like golf where I sack the thing off, however, it doesn’t seem to have the pull it did last year. Maybe it’s early in the year, not sure. One thing is certain. I play guitar everyday, no, what I do is learn guitar everyday, and the progress is palpable. Drawing and painting too.
Ennui is a terrible thing, why are we here doing what we are doing, and for what purpose or end? Well, if you can SatNav your way round that it won’t be a bad thing. But, like all jobs, you need tools. Here’s a decent thought spanner. Human action can be chosen as belonging to three categories (with overlaps of course) Destruction, maintenance or improvement.
Think of your own examples in everyday life and see if they fit. Destruction is more common than you may think. Materially it might be thought of (usually) as criminal actions, unless in rare examples of self-defence or war. In everyday life it can be linked with scadenfraude. Seeking improvement in your own position by the degrading of another. It is a wholly false option, like chemicals, superficially easy but never offering genuine improvement.
Yes, well, you get the drift eh?
March
Still in March, that’s why it says March and not something else. Well the guitar is progressing very smartly, what do I know? mmm, scales, modes, triads, chord theory, bit of this and that, a few jazz progressions, blues and, most importantly, a few songs. Always thought that the best musicians aren’t technicians first, they make tunes…still got to know your stuff though, lots to learn. Nearly time for a new guitar or two, bit longer yet.
Been on the pier, blanked, been to Clobryn, hardly interested. It sounds like I’m getting bored with fishing, but I’m not, actually I’m more relaxed and enjoying it for the doing of it rather than just catching, yep, a bit of an advancement, always good to catch though and the pier starts picking up soon, and I haven’t paid yet because their system is not updated.
Katie is excited about her first property, all going through nicely, fingers crossed she should be in around the end od June, then I’ll be up there decorating.
Drawing faces is really hard. At the moment I’m trying to utilise the technique used by the master, John Singer Sargeant. The idea here is to look for shapes in the face rather than draw the facial features, it is a bit counter-intuitive and a little unnerving but you have to keep trying. it is rewarding when you produce something that looks like an individual.
Not the best of times, Carol seriously ill, in and out of hospital but now, hopefully on the mend.
More of the same really, got some charcoal pencils. I’m pleased with the potrait drawing, I do some every day, as I do with the painting. Sometimes it’s not easy to fit it all in, especially when I do guitar as well – the progress of which I am very pleased with. Anyway, I’m trying to get better at it (the potrait drawing) but it isn’t easy, not only do you have to make it look like a human being, you have to try to get a bit of a likeness. Like I say, not easy, but the more you do eh?
February
Being literate means the extent to which you can express yourself in language, specifically written. There are other forms, woefully unencouraged. Music is one which almost all would admit illiteracy, yet offers a different way of thinking and expressing. Just imagine if it were taught properly, from infancy, it’s easy too, relativly, you don’t even need to play an instrument, sing it, whistle, beat it. How about drawing, how many of you have said “I can’t draw” well you have never been taught to. Languages, Mathematics. Can you imagine a world where it was expected that we teach children such fundemental elements of human expression. And what do we have instead?
Not the best of weeks (circa 20th) Carol had to go to hospital with heart problems, turns out it was a flutter or fibrilation which is more serious than it sounds. With meds it went back into ok mode but she has to have further tests.
Bought a looper pedal and it’s fantastic. Essentially you play a few bars and then either overdub or play a lead over it. The benefit is big, firstly you’re playing along with a real backing so the timing has to be good, this is especially important with lead or melody playing. Previously I would pat myself on the back for being able to play the notes but, and it’s a big but, when it came down to playing it in real time I went to shit. This is because I couldn’t properly practice it with another muscician. Well I can now…me!
It’s been a fair while since I’ve visited the kids in Manchester, feel a little guilty about it but, then again. They are all doing tremendously well, I would have thought they were in a different league if I were in a peer group with them. Adam and Daniel have been in another comp (4th Feb) and gained bronze and two silvers respectively.
January
Decided not to do the day to day stuff. One reason being is that it is a bit samey, another is no-one is likely to read it, and another is that I trashed the page by error half way through Jan. So, in a way, I’m starting at the beginning, half-way through.
The fishing has taken a backseat, bit of a closed season January. Been to the pool a couple of times and pulled a few out (I would have loved somewhere like this when I was growing up, actually I did have the Ribble, mmm) Cast a few baits off the pier to no avali, one bloke had some luck with the lures, so I ordered some straight away, of course. And, my attention is drawn to Weymouth when the weather warms up.
Starting to sketch faces. My watercolour stuff is, I think, coming along (see Artstuff) but I want to supplement this with some potrait work. As with anything you do need to put solid roots down and – although I have done a few faces in paint – these have been by eye and not with method. So, thanks to Loomis, I’ve done a couple.
Every morning after yoga its half an hour of reading. Still floating my way on the summer breeze of P.G Wodehouse, up to Full Moon which is, I think, over half way through the bullion. Also I’m reading Shakespeare again starting with the works I can’t remember reading and, possibly, never have. What is surprising is that the lines are flowing off the page as if I am watching living characters. I once read that orchestra conductors can read scores and the music comes alive, yes (bit pretentiously) it’s like that. Just finished Titus Andronicus and am now on As You Like It. Even though I’ve been there a few times I still detest a good deal of academic specialisation – exclusion, inbred ideas and economics.
Nearly the end of January, getting a decent walk in every day, unless, like yesterday, it is sheeting down all day. Still painting and sketching, still progressing decently on guitar and still waiting for the sea fishing to get into gear. I’m now effectivly running the fishing club, most of the committee have resigned, stuff is getting done.
Michael Leo Parker 