Another eventful month almost done. I am having a few days holiday away from the office so this diary update is a little early. Pull up a cuppa, get comfy and I can tell you what has gone on... It turns out that all of my old school pals class at Westminster City School are turning 60 this year. We are very lazy and see each other infrequently, but Nick's 60th Birthday Bash in Brighton on 3 March gave us an excuse to get into the same room once more. Jenny and I took the opportunity to stay overnight in Brighton with her daughter, Layla. I ventured out to the Merkaba club / bar at the allotted time and tried to chat with three old friends while music blared out. Enough said that we all struggled to make ourselves heard over the not so mellow mixes being played. It is always good to catch up with the boys of WCS, although in truth I think that when we were there, we never thought we would still be around at 60 years old, let alone still meeting occasionally ! Perhaps wisely, I have seen no photographic evidence of the evening (!), but here are some photos of our <the Sunday morning stroll>. As Mothering Day falls on a Sunday and train travel is broadly rubbish on that day, on 10 March I gave my Mum a "Mothering Saturday" at her flat. We had a nice, enjoyable, easy day with a few presents and a Home Cooked Meal rather than her normal Meals on Wheels fayre. <more photos here> Unrelated I am sure, but later at about nine thirty that evening, I was laying on the bed watching TV when my nose started bleeding gently. *** Warning *** What follows may be a bit too graphic for some While I pinched the soft part of my nose, I realised that no blood was coming down my nose, and that the blood was actually going down my throat. This seemed strange as I have never in my lifetime of nosebleeds encountered it before. We decided that a call to the National Health Service Non-Urgent Helpline was in order. After hanging on for what seemed like an hour (actually about 15 minutes), Jenny spoke to them and then passed the phone to me as the bleed was stopping. As I was speaking to them, it suddenly started again with some vengeance, so they told me to go straight to A&E. After changing into outdoor clothes, things were looking bad - after I pinched my nose for a while, I thought my eyes were watering, so asked if I could have my glasses. When she got downstairs to me, Jenny calmly told me that she would put my glasses in her bag and we would get to the hospital as quickly as possible as "you are bleeding from your eye". It turned out that my sinus cavities were full of blood and the easiest exit route for the fluid was through the gland in the corner of my eye. Long story short, after being at A&E for 3 and a half hours, of pinching, damming and ice packs, my bleed "self-extinguished", so I was free to go at about 02:00. I was only released on the understanding that I make an appointment to see my GP regarding my Blood Pressure which was very high at 172/105 when I left. Needless to say, I am monitoring my BP at home and with my GP. Daily checks at home have shown between 135/85 and 158/107. At the doctor's surgery it rose to 195/117 so I deduce that I suffer a bit from "White Coat Syndrome". I went to have blood work, pressure taken and also an ECG on 21 March, and I will be going to review the results next week on 29 March. I should thank Jenny for all her help during this trauma. There have been no reoccurance of the bleeds, but my pressure is still a bit high. On Mothering Sunday, 11 March we went for a stroll at Bushy Park which was looking lovely. <more here> The following Sunday 18 March, snow had fallen so we tried a breakfast in Weybridge and a stroll around the old favourite Wisley Gardens. It was stunning. <more here> Earlier in the month, snow fell in Redhill and Reigate. Before the office was cleared, I took a walk around the office grounds and snapped a few photos. <more here> We received a small package for someone at work. Could the sender have used more stamps ? So that is about it for this month.
I have a few days R&R from now until after Easter, then a 4 day week before having a week long break with Jenny and Layla in the Isle of Wight. Watch this space, and "Let's Be Careful Out There" Pip pip !!
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This is a 2 part blog < part 2 here > 10cc were (I think any way) one of the most under-rated bands of the mid to late 1970s and into the 1980s. I have written a little about them from this fan's perspective elsewhere on this site <click here if you are interested>. They released great 3-5 minute pop songs, always with clever, witty lyrics and fabulous musicianship ( Rubber Bullets, I'm Mandy Fly Me, Life Is A Minestrone, Good Morning Judge, The Things We Do For Love, Dreadlock Holiday to name but a few ). This 2 part blog will focus on two tunes. This one is from 1975 when 10cc where a 4 piece comprising Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart. The other is from 1977, after Godley and Creme had left to pursue other things, leaving Stewart and Gouldman performing as 10cc. "Une Nuit A Paris" by 10cc From the same 1975 album as the sublime uber-hit "I'm Not In Love" -"The Original Soundtrack" - this is an 8 and a half soundscape in 3 parts: 1. One Night in Paris 2. The Same Night in Paris 3. Later the Same Night in Paris It captures the sense of the sleazier side of Paris superbly and tells the tale of a British tourist in Paris. The locals try to con him into buying dodgy goods and photographs and he ends up in the red-light district with a prostitute. Following a serious of complications, a policeman arrives and is shot dead. Some of the vocals are just pure and beautiful, the mix of styles are brilliant and I love it. "Rouged lips in the gaslight A great view of the hall That's the way the croissant crumbles after all" "One night in Paris Is like a year in any other place! One night in Paris Will wipe the smile off your pretty face! Try a girl in Paris But try one of mine Each night in Paris" "When they raided my club that night They ruined my act with the leather umbrella the Chief de Police got a fright He was up in my boudoir with some other fella" "Then the floor cleared A woman screamed to herself Henri... Though you're not the toast of Paris I love you, although you bed and beat me Henri, leave it alone, For the gendarme's just doing his job" "Une Nuit A Paris" by 10cc
by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme [Part One: One Night in Paris] Bonjour monsieur Paris really welcomes you It's the best room in the house It's forty francs a night, alright. It's crazy, it isn't worth a centime I'll take it! Merci Monsieur Rouged lips in the gaslight A great view of the hall That's the way the croissant crumbles after all Paris is only one step away Les girls are out on bail Tres bien there's love for sale Oh my cheri, wish you were mine And I'll show you a wonderful time For the price of a cheap champagne I'll show it you once again One night in Paris Is like a year in any other place One night in Paris Will wipe the smile off your pretty face One girl in Paris Is like loving every woman One night in Paris One night in Paris One night in Paris May be your last!!! [Part Two: The Same Night in Paris] Is he gonna buy? wanna little culture? Is he gonna pay? Maybe Monsieur is into photographs, Non? Or is he gonna fall in love The all American way? I got a watch wiz a beautiful Swiss movement Is he gonna buy? Forget the watch, I'll show you a good time!' Is he gonna pay? Le connoisseur, want something different? Or is he gonna fall in love The all American way? Oh you know you ain't no Casanova You can't even do the Bossa Nova Or the Tango or the Samba! Though you are so very charming No you ain't no Casanova Is he gonna buy? Is he gonna pay? Or is he gonna fall in love The all American way? Sometimes I think he will But then again ... One night in Paris Is like a year in any other place! One night in Paris Will wipe the smile off your pretty face! Try a girl in Paris But try one of mine Each night in Paris Each night in Paris Each night in Paris Each night in Paris May be your last!!! [Part Three: Later the same night in Paris] Forty-Two, Quarante-Deux Rue de Saint Jacques All our girls are how you say Good in the sack I was a stripper On the Champs Elysees He was a gendarme In the gendarmerie Going Oh La La La Oh La La La La He was a pimp In a black beret But he was an artiste In his own way Oh La La La Oh La La La La When they raided my club that night They ruined my act with the leather umbrella the Chief de Police got a fright He was up in my boudoir with some other fella It's only routine But I got this feeling It ain't good for business Then the floor cleared A woman screamed to herself Henri... Though you're not the toast of Paris I love you, although you bed and beat me Henri, leave it alone, For the gendarme's just doing his job Paris is only one step away Murder is only one step away Notre Dame is ringing her bells Another gendarme has gone to Hell Notre Dame is ringing her bells Another gendarme has gone to Hell Gone to Hell Gone to Hell One night in Paris Is like a year in any other place One night in Paris Will wipe the smile off your pretty face One girl in Paris Is like loving every woman This night in Paris This night in Paris This night in Paris This night in Paris May be your last!!! This is a 2 part blog < part 1 here > This is the second part of a blog about 10cc's 3 part epics. 10cc were (I think any way) one of the most under-rated bands of the mid to late 1970s and into the 1980s. I have written a little about them from this fan's perspective elsewhere on this site <click here if you are interested>. Although 10cc released some great 3-5 minute pop songs, this one epic is from 1977, after Godley and Creme had left to pursue other things, leaving Stewart and Gouldman performing as 10cc. At about 11 and a half minutes, "Feel The Benefit" is 10cc's longest track and it closes the Deceptive Bends album. Its 3 parts are: i) Reminisce And Speculation ii) A Latin Break iii) Feel The Benefit A beautiful guitar intro to Parts 1 and 3, very reminiscent of the Beatles "Dear Prudence". (I think) a great vocal from Eric Stewart in Parts 1 and 3 which works really well with the great strings arrangement. Part 2 gives us a South American interlude. Part 3's guitar solo from Eric is also special - when they performed this live, Graham Gouldman "answered" this with a brilliant bass solo. I have always liked the "abrupt" ending. This is perhaps my favourite 10cc track. "If all the people in the world lost their reason What would we see, where would we be" "If all the entertainers in the world lost their music What would they play, what could they say To pacify the crowd, to justify themselves" "You're like a cloud behind the sun Like the face behind the clown You're moving like the wrinkles in a frown And you can never look back A leaf that's borne upon the wind A cardboard suitcase in your hand The wanderer soon returns And finds the colour of the grass is just the same On the other side of the tracks, oh no" "You can ride with the Gauchos Swinging your bolas in a red bandana" "You can drink a lot of coffee in Brazil But the bill is gonna make you ill" "If all the people in the world would say together We're all black and white, we're all day and night If all the people in the world could sing together How would it sound, what would we feel We'd all feel the benefit" "Feel The Benefit" by 10cc
by Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart [i) Reminisce And Speculation] You went out on the street without your shoes on You didn't listen what your momma said She said you won't feel the benefit, won't feel the benefit And if we all went out without our shoes on Tell me where would we be, where would we be If all the people in the world lost their reason What would we see, where would we be If all the entertainers in the world lost their music What would they play, what could they say To pacify the crowd, to justify themselves Won't feel the benefit You're like a cloud behind the sun Like the face behind the clown You're moving like the wrinkles in a frown And you can never look back A leaf that's borne upon the wind A cardboard suitcase in your hand The wanderer soon returns And finds the colour of the grass is just the same On the other side of the tracks, oh no [ii) Latin Break] Ooh when you smile it's like a holiday Ooh pack your bags and we can get away We'll float on a Queen down to Rio There's no need to shave We'll be stinking like rum in a punch You can walk on the water You can dabble in the mumbo jumbo You can smoke a little ganja Float like a cloud over Rio, Rio You can ride with the Gauchos Swinging your bolas in a red bandana You can run with the devil Takin' your chances with Senorita You can drink a lot of coffee in Brazil But the bill is gonna make you ill [iii) Feel The Benefit] So, you can go out on the street and take your chances But if you do, you better do it right Or you won't feel the benefit, won't feel the benefit Spin the wheel and take your chances And your number might come up Though the odds may be in favor of the house If all the people in the world would say together We're all black and white, we're all day and night If all the people in the world could sing together How would it sound, what would we feel We'd all feel the benefit This is NOT an analysis of a song, merely personal observations about a song that I love. Enjoy. Ian "Mr Brightside" by The Killers From their 2004 debut album, Hot Fuss Instantly recognisable guitar intro, leading to a frenzied ending. Just a glorious song dealing with issues of infidelity, paranoia and jealousy. "Mr Brightside" <Video Here> "It started out with a kiss How did it end up like this It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss" "Mr Brightside"
Coming out of my cage And I've been doing just fine Gotta gotta be down Because I want it all It started out with a kiss How did it end up like this It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss Now I'm falling asleep And she's calling a cab While he's having a smoke And she's taking a drag Now they're going to bed And my stomach is sick And it's all in my head But she's touching his chest Now, he takes off her dress Now, let me go I just can't look its killing me And taking control Jealousy, turning saints into the sea Swimming through sick lullabies Choking on your alibis But it's just the price I pay Destiny is calling me Open up my eager eyes Cause I'm Mr Brightside I'm coming out of my cage And I've been doing just fine Gotta gotta be down Because I want it all It started out with a kiss How did it end up like this It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss Now I'm falling asleep And she's calling a cab While he's having a smoke And she's taking a drag Now they're going to bed And my stomach is sick And it's all in my head But she's touching his chest Now, he takes off her dress Now, let me go 'Cause I just can't look its killing me And taking control Jealousy, turning saints into the sea Swimming through sick lullabies Choking on your alibi But it's just the price I pay Destiny is calling me Open up my eager eyes 'Cause I'm Mr Brightside I never I never I never I never He is the big news story, but more a little later... 4 February saw a trek to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire - a very cold but enjoyable day <more details here> 11 February 18:36, Theo Charles Ratcliffe was born. I met my first grandchild the following day <more here> He is the first child on my side of the family since 1988. Welcome to the world, Theo - you are the future !! 12 February - a trip to town to celebrate my Mum's 85th Birthday. <more here> 14 February - Valentine's Day. I made a very nice (if I do say so myself) dinner for Jenny and myself. A lovely evening. 15 February - I was very sad to see the news of the Florida shootings. I struggle with these things <Blog Here> 18 February - Time for a lovely (well, dry) early spring stroll around the RHS garden at Wisley with loved ones. The Butterflies In The Glasshouse exhibit was pretty good, and the rest of the gardens were beginning to wake up after their Winter rest. <More here> 24 February - Jenny and I were all set for a weekend stay at Hayling Island down near Portsmouth. This was knocked into touch when Jenny was sicker than I have ever known her and was bed-ridden for 2 and a half days, and was just not up to it. A little TLC seems to have done the trick, although she is still suffering with "standard" cold symptoms. February ended with a bit of a cold blast, which looks like it will continue until at least 2nd March. I know that temperatures of -5 C are nothing in the regime of things (in Missouri my brother's office was closed as the temperatures were down to -15 C or so), but this Surrey in the South East of England. I have mentioned little of my beloved Arsenal for some time. The reason for this, my friends is simply that there is little to say. The "On This Day" feature of Facebook is a sad reminder to me that for at least the last 6 years, I have generally been making the same comments. And a tweet from @gunnerblog also confirms my feelings Something needs to change at the Emirates to sort the Gunners out. At this point, however I know not what, but sadly I feel that it needs to start with our manager. So that is pretty much it for this session, but as always there is much on the horizon. School Pal Reunions for 60th Birthdays in Brighton, a break in the Isle of Wight and Bell Ringing to mark the end of treatment for cancer all loom large. Until next time, take care and be safe. Pip... pip!! |
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