off work with keef and the new mojo

I'm off work today, and have just been dossing about, trying to wake up while watching the latest episodes of Black Mirror, when this pops through my letterbox.
Get in!!
If l believed in a God of some kind, l'd be praising him (or her) at this moment

toodle pip

listening to country music - it's great!!

While l've been off and cooking (see last post), l've also been listening to a fair amount of country music. But some of the less popular stuff (see screenshot below of the latest plays). It may well be that l'm getting older, but take it from me, l still love rowdy stuff. It's just good to have a change now and again and open your ears and mind to something different.
There's a couple of really good documentaries that feature this 'Outlaw / Outsider' country - Heartworn Highways and Heartworn Highways Revisited, sadly, not featuring a personal favourite of mine, Todd Snider.
Anyway, here's a clip l've put up more than once, the magnificent Townes Van Zant with 'Waiting around to die' (starts one minute in), plus some other corkers for you deification.



Larry Jon Wilson - Ohoopee River Bottomland (starts properly about 5.45)



John Prine and Bonnie Raitt - Angel from Montgomery



Guy Clark  -  LA Freeway



Todd Snider - Conservative Christian....



Here's an old classic that l grew up listening to - Marty Robbins - El Paso

toodle pip

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm Stuffing my face

Mmmmmm

After abusing myself (for a change) over my Birthday Weekend celebrations, instead of cracking on with something like finishing off the painting that needs doing, l'm now stuffing my face and cooking some splendid meals.

Secret ingredient? 

Honey!

toodle pip

two weeks off!

Hurrah!  I've got a couple of weeks off with bugger all to do.

 This will be me and Mr Parrot at the end of them.

                                                          It's actually Charles Bukowski

toodle pip

hair cutting time again

I'm doing this the wrong way round, as l should keep my longer hair for the colder weather, but as you can see, it got on my nerves again, so it was time for a chop. As usual, it was a head upside down and hacking away job. At least it will scare the neighbours cats away from my garden.

One of these days l may even crumble and go to a hairdressers and get it cut properly (but l very much doubt it).

toodle pip

car boot sale heaven

I was on sleepover at work last night and finished at 8am this morning, (after staying up till 2.30am and getting up at 6.10am).  On a whim, while driving home, l decided to take a detour and have a look at a local car boot sale, a place l have only ever been to once before, but keep meaning to visit.  I was mighty pleased that l decided to do so, as l ended up buying a total of  23 albums (large CD's that scratch to you kids out there), for a total of  £35, and that was with a load of Beatles singles thrown in for good measure.  I was especially pleased with The Rolling Stones ones, as they are the original unboxed red Decca versions, all in great nick, but some of the LP's l bought are just to replace stuff l already have because they are miles better copies (yeeeeessssss...l know l am a sad bastard, and certainly don't need telling).
Originally, there was a slim chance l was going to do some painting today (as if!), but that went out of the window, and all l've been doing is reading and listening to records (and annoying Mr Parrot).  What bliss.
I've said it before and l'll say it again, l could easily fill a house with records, comics, DVD's etc, but at least l've sorted out some old LP's to give to my sister, so the actual amount of records in the house stays roughly the same.
Then there's the not so small problem of finding loads of spare time to read and listen to everything.  The books in the photograph are recent purchases l have yet to get through, l have another pile of unread ones that remain untouched, as well as the two books l have on the go at the moment (as well as TV shows and football to watch, and going out annoying people to fit in).
Multi tasking is the answer.  I'm currently listening to The Who's 'Quadrophenia' film soundtrack while updating this blog and drinking chilled white wine at the same time, with Mr Parrot sitting on my leg, getting the occasional stroke (me stroking him, not the other way round).
No wonder l fall asleep on trains.

toodle pip

out and about in december

Christmas is over and l am now looking forward to the New bleeding year.  Meanwhile, I've been about and about in December, hence some of the photographs above.  More trips to the dentist, meals out in Catterick Village, and visits to pubs in Newcastle, Darlington, Middlesbrough and locally.
I've just finished work for a few days, missed my link up with the FPO, and Mr Parrot is still hugely entertaining.
Time to crack on with what l laughingly know as reality, and yes, that is Shaun Ryder in the bottom picture.

toodle pip

knowledge of angels - jill paton walsh

'Knowledge of Angels' was recommended and loaned to me by a fellow worker, who thought l might be interested in the philosophical arguments for and against God that lay within.  They were correct, and l did enjoy the story, although l found some of Jill Paton Walsh's writing a bit too floral, even though l understand when she was rabbiting on about the plants, weather and landscape of Grandinsula, (the Island setting of the novel), it was to highlight what a medieval paradise it was, compared to the horror that was being perpetrated on it.
The story concerns a young girl who was raised by wolves, (based on The Maid of Chalons), plus the tale of  a stranger from another land who swims ashore, and declares himself an atheist when questioned about his beliefs and his land of origin.  There are then arguments aplenty between various believers, including the dreaded inquisition (who weren't expected).
The main philosophical argument centered around St Thomas Aquinas' 5 proofs of Gods Existence, and the responses to them by Palinurus (the swimming stranger), plus the argument of whether knowledge of God is inborn, as if it is proven not to be so, Palinurus cannot be a heretic.
I felt as though the sex scene had been put in to appeal to female readers, although it could be argued that it was to emphasise the strangers free loving and guilt free ways, but apart from that, an enjoyable and interesting read in yesterdays sunshine, alternating between hammock, swing, and rug on the floor.
It's a hard life, God or no God.

toodle pip

dodgy drinks at home

This is a picture of some pineapple juice that l left overnight a few days ago, as l had fallen asleep.  I was going to knock it back in the morning, but when l saw how it had all gathered at the bottom, it put me off doing so.
On a related note, l found some cans of lager in the spare fridge a couple of days ago that had been left and forgotten about.  They were only 5 years past their sell by date, so of course l opened one and tasted it, but it was hard for me to tell if it was OK or not, as the first drink of any lager usually tastes crap to me.  It did  fizz open, looked to be alright, and had been kept cold all that time, but as l had days off work ahead of me, l didn't want to risk getting ill, so l ended up pouring the rest of the can away (there are more left) .
Where the hell has my devil may care attitude gone?  Keith Richards would be ashamed of me.

toodle pip

the grand national bet

I hardly ever bet, but putting some money on The Grand National makes it that little bit more entertaining, and gives me some interest in it.
I was going to head to the pub for it, but l had been working overnight, was falling asleep at home,and the FPO came back from Tesco's with bottles of wine, so we stayed in for the race, then sat on the doorstep in the sunshine with Tubbs (the idiot rabbit), drinking wine (Tubbs abstained), like a middle class Andy Capp and Flo.
As for my bet, l know bugger all about horses, so l just chose some at random. People said l was a madman to pick such outsiders to win, and of course l wasn't successful,  but the eventual winner (Auroras Encore) was priced at 66-1, so maybe l should have been more daring with my £2 to win bets.
As usual, close, but no cigar.

toodle pip

out in the boro (again!) - and mink

As it was Good Friday and it was a holiday for most, l went through to Middlesbrough for a lads night out with Robbo, Danny and Matt.  We drank copious amounts of ale,  talked a load of crap, and chilled out, all happy to have a break from work.  We hit some of our usual pubs around the Linthorpe road area, but ended up going to the Mink bar, by which time, everyone was pretty drunk (except me of course).  It was the first time l had been in there, and it was my kind of bar. Dark, plenty of people, live music, and a handy tattoo parlour if the hankering for an immediate tattoo strikes you (and it has me in the past). By then,we were also on the double Jack Daniels, Matty disappeared completely, Danny was told by the bouncers he was going to be thrown out and was refused any more alcohol, and he also disappeared as soon as he went outside. This left me and Robbo as the last men standing (bloody amateurs).  Afterwards, us two got a taxi back to Robbo and Kerry's, which we then had to stop so Robbo could get out of it to throw up, so only one of the hardy crew remained in one piece after the rock and roll madness - me.  l was rather amazingly, up pretty early (7am!) to get some coffee down before heading home, as l have work today and Sunday.  I had also been entrusted with the front door key by Kerry, as she didn't want Robbo losing the key and waking up her, Gill, Cairan or Chloe on our return, which was a success, but l ended up coming back to Catterick with it, as l left it in the back pocket of my jeans afterwards (oops). The girls are going out tonight (sounds like a Take That song), but I'm not sure if the FPO is going through or not, as we have a lot on this weekend.  Mink will certainly be visited again in the future, but l think there may be less Jack Daniels consumed next time.  Oh - Chloe has also taken a bit of a shine to me.  I'm a natural when it comes to youngsters.

Me and Robbo in the taxi home - like a pissed up old married couple (in this case, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton)

toodle pip

charlie's funeral

One of the bad thing about getting old is that everyone starts dying around you, and you end up going to funerals, not weddings, especially if you are an old indestructible git like myself. One of the funerals was yesterday, for Charlie McCabe, Mark from J.T's uncle.  It was held at the packed out St John's Church in Hipswell, and was hardly unexpected, as he had been given six months to live about 4 years ago (he had lung cancer). We all went to The Arc afterwards for some drinks and food, then myself, Rocker, Ritchie, Frenchie and Dave Diamond headed to the wine bar and J'T's later on. There followed drunken games of 'Killer' and then it was home for the footie (a 1-1 yawnfest between England and Montenegro). The actual service was one of the better ones l have been to, as there was hardly any singing to be done, just the one song in fact (Morning Has Broken), as the others were CDs that were played. Not that l sing in church myself you understand, but it's good that there wasn't loads of hymns.

toodle pip

keith and charlie photograph, plus the stones docs

I've been watching The Rolling Stones stuff this afternoon that l recorded last night, and although l had already seen most of the stuff shown, there were some great clips that l hadn't had the pleasure of perusing previously.  Dancing With Mr D on The Old Grey Whistle Test, although not one of their finer moments, was one clip, and amongst the photographs new to me, there was this beauty featuring Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, with Keith hamming it up for the camera, but looking pretty cool while doing so.  Effete yet dangerous to hang around - just like l have tried to live my life (as certain people would testify).  I even (allegedly) crashed a car once while arguing that 'I am Keith Richards' and the passenger was 'Bill' (as in Wyman), resulting in me being distracted and writing the car off (although the drink may not have helped).  Not big or clever, but it happened.
Those were the days.    Drink? Tick      Drugs? Tick    Sex and Rock and Roll? Tick   Violence? Tick      Three nights awake?  Tick (but it makes you itchy).
It's a good job l've settled down, as it's not easy putting the hours in.
As for the 'Crossfire Hurricane' documentary, the 25x5 one years ago (1989!!!) was miles better, but it is not available on DVD (but of course l do own a dodgy one).  What they really need is an Anthology series like The Beatles had.  I'd certainly part with my money for one of those, as l'm sure many others would do.
Sort it out.
Now!









toodle pip

what a super sunday!

What a great day l have had today.  We went to Lolls birthday do at Tunstall last night with Robbo and Kerry (and Cairon), but were home at a decent time because Rook wasn't drinking, so we nabbed a lift home with him and Deb when they left.  Managed to hit the pub first, witness Robbo hurting his ankle falling out of the pub, drink and chat at the party,  then eat about 72 sausage rolls before we left.  All of this and we were still  in time for 'Match of the Day'. Result!
A lazy lie in this morning with the paper was followed by a bath and the two football matches, Everton v Liverpool (2-2) and Chelsea v Manchester United (3-2 to United).  The results and games were great for me, and it was made sweeter by the fact Luis Saurez (we know what you are) had a winning goal disallowed    for Liverpool (hilarious), and Javier Hernandez for United had one stand that was offside (tremendous).  Fernando Torres capped off all the fun by being sent off for diving, in a decision that was surprising (but welcome) even to my blinkered eyes.
Apparently there will be repercussions from the Chelsea game, as Chelsea have reported the referee (Mark Clattenburg) for 'inappropriate' comments he made to two of their players.  If he is found guilty of being racist to them, l wonder if Chelsea fans will start booing the players involved.  I certainly hope they do.
It was such a fun packed day , l nearly forgot to say that l managed to bid on (and win) a load of old Manchester United programmes.  All of this was before l made some cheese pasta for tea (Mmmmmmm)
Altogether now........
Heaven......  I'm in Heaven.....

toodle pip

the birth of galactus

I am off work today, so had a lazy morning reading the top two comics before dragging myself out of my pit to doss about.  They  are 'The Origin of Galactus' and The Fantastic Four story 'The Trial Of Reed Richards', and both (you may have guessed) concern 'Galactus'.  They approach his origin from different angles, and in the FF comic his morality is also bought into question (top philosophical musings ahoy!).  I am just a sucker for some of the old Marvel comics stuff, and consider people such as Stan Lee and Jack Kirby Gods amongst us mere mortals (a bit like Odin or Galactus himself).  Looks like l might be reading the (Mighty) Thor story 'Galactus a Borning' (issue #162 fact fans) tomorrow morning.  When l get round to it, l'll  post up all the scans here.  Enjoy!

toodle pip

the home made skeleton

As l have a lot of time on my hands, l had a go at making a paper skeleton (as you do).  I gave up halfway through, as it was looking nothing like the one in the black background photograph that l was striving towards, and l felt like smashing its grinning little face in.  No wonder l have never had the patience to learn guitar.  If you want to download the template and have a go yourself, head over to digitprop.com..

toodle pip

records being played today

For the first time since l have been off work, l haven't watched any films today.  That is because l have been reading and listening to music, specifically, the records above, and a fine days listening and reading it has been.  If you are wondering about my liking of Phil Harris, it's because he was Baloo in The Jungle Book, so all of his records pretty much sound as though Baloo is singing them, which can never be a bad thing.  It's a hard life (somewhere).

toodle pip 

off work medication - cocaine tooth drops

I've been doing well so far while prating about off work.  I've not taken any painkillers (apart from drink) as l want to be aware of how much l can move my arm without hurting it too much or putting back the recovery.  It's sore but manageable, but maybe if l found a bottle of this in the medicine cupboard, l might change my mind and indulge myself.
Ah, the good old days....

toodle pip