Monthly Archives: January 2024

Moving on up and Intrusive Thoughts

Got to on keep trying. Apparently. Even when you are running out of steam. And I am a wee bit I must confess. Today I assembled an exercise bike and it was quite a workout to be honest. Outdoor exercises at this season plays havoc with my arthritis, so it a useful winter compromise. Keeping fit when you don’t regularly gig is I find a problem. So I am slowly trying to build up a little bit of stamina again if I can. Also activity can help alleviate or mitigate depression too which is also a very important for me as well. So in-between practicing and recording and mixing there is now exercise to work in as well. It’s worth a try at least.

The worlds in a pretty bad state now and there’s little that an individual can do really. Public out cry about injustice may well make us feel we are doing something, but it seems that we have less and less power to achieve any sort of leverage and change the mindset of those that rule over us. Power is a drug and those that don’t have it are doomed to waste away. There is no sense left in the whole wide world now.

Here’s a world/jazz genre instrumental. It’s called “Intrusive thoughts”

  • A Little Bit More Personal History
    I felt mildly anxious before I went out to Redbourn Folk last night, but really enjoyed the evening. Came home, then bang out of nowhere. Massive anxiety attack last night. But that’s how it happens as you might well know if you are similarly afflicted. Heart racing for about an hour. I had a great evening out at the folk club, got home then suddenly shaking so much I couldn’t get the key in the door. Full on panic ensued and a pulse of 128. I ended up having to get … Continue reading A Little Bit More Personal History
  • And It’s Not Really Working
    Well, things are stil a curates egg pretty much some good, some bad some middling. A mild panic this morning for folks at the compound here as the vehicle gates have jammed though they managed to manually open them. A thrilling day so far, cleaned washing machine filter but it didn’t actually need cleaning. A couple of emails sent. Stuff like that.. I do find a massive feeling of inertia when dealing with people generally. Everybody has the same story to tell now. People (younger ones two) are not going out … Continue reading And It’s Not Really Working
  • A mini rant about musical matters
    About 2 weeks ago I put an add on a music message board to try and expand the possibilities’ of getting out and playing more primarily but in the local area not miles away. It had 235 views and not one single response. I wonder if that’s a record? Wow. Yes I am in a Band/trio and also a folk band but they are not exactly busy and whilst I am quite comfortable performing I am not primarily a solo performer and attending open mics where I don’t really know people … Continue reading A mini rant about musical matters
  • February 2026, Thoughts On Getting Older
    Well, a funny old day. I couldn’t settle to anything at all. Slight gloom ensued. I am sleeping OK but still waking up tired at present. What I notice is if I am out and doing stuff I feel OK but at home although I am nowhere near as anxious as I have been for a long time I do feel very tired. Again though if I am beavering away making a recording or writing music or learning something new I am fine. So how much is depression and how much … Continue reading February 2026, Thoughts On Getting Older
  • The Devil is In The Detail
    Lovely evening at Radbourne Folk Club last night again with the Invisible Folk Club Band Jonathan Bickley Phil Beavis Milo Richard Downs. yea fun. We played 5 songs at Redbourn folk club as a 4 piece. It was good fun… But on the drive back 25 minute delay due to road works on the M1. Didn’t have my google maps on so I didn’t see the jam until it was too late… I have repaired my car mirror now which fell of earlier in the week. All fitted including electric demist … Continue reading The Devil is In The Detail




Fluffy Pink Dream Land

Here are chatGPTs reasons or excuses… Not entirely convincing to be honest.

People can let you down and disappoint for various reasons, and it’s essential to recognize that individuals are complex and influenced by different factors. Here are some common reasons why people may let you down:

And here is a song: Fluffy Pink Dreamland
Just for you 🙂

  1. Communication breakdown:
  • Misunderstandings and lack of clear communication can lead to unmet expectations and disappointment.
  • Unrealistic expectations:
  • Sometimes, people may not be aware of your expectations, or they may have unrealistic expectations themselves, leading to disappointment when reality doesn’t align with those expectations.
  • Different priorities:
  • People have different priorities in life, and what might be important to you may not hold the same significance for someone else. This misalignment can lead to letdowns.
  • Lack of commitment:
  • Some individuals may struggle with commitment, whether it’s to relationships, responsibilities, or promises. This can result in disappointment when they fail to follow through.
  • Personal issues:
  • Everyone faces personal challenges and difficulties. External factors such as stress, health issues, or personal problems can impact someone’s ability to meet expectations.
  • Incompatibility:
  • Differences in values, goals, or lifestyles can lead to disappointment, especially when those differences become apparent over time.
  • Selfishness:
  • Some people may prioritize their needs and desires over others, leading to actions that let others down.
  • Lack of empathy:
  • Insufficient understanding or empathy towards your feelings and needs can result in behavior that causes disappointment.
  • Poor time management:
  • Some people struggle with managing their time effectively, leading to delays, missed deadlines, or unfulfilled promises.
  • Fear of commitment or failure:
    • Fear can hinder people from fully committing to relationships or responsibilities, causing them to let others down to avoid potential failure or disappointment.
  • Changing circumstances:
    • Life is dynamic, and unexpected changes in circumstances, such as job loss or family issues, can affect someone’s ability to fulfill commitments.
  • Lack of accountability:
    • Some individuals may find it challenging to take responsibility for their actions or admit when they fall short, contributing to disappointment.

It’s important to approach these situations with empathy, understanding that people may have their own struggles and reasons for their actions. Open communication and managing expectations can help mitigate disappointment in relation

But maybe sometimes….

Fear and the  inevitable decline or its nearly my birthday again

Doom is just around the corner. Perhaps? Or around the next corner maybe. Suddenly the inevitable can be seen in a fleeting glimpse in the corner of your eye. You try to avoid the temptation but alas you fingers flick towards the Google search box on your android and you type the words wanting to know how long you might have left. Not that long so pull your finger out and get on with it old chum says the AI oracle in very short order. So trying to distract myself from the notion that we only get one shot at this I attempt to keep calm and carry on anyway.

January proceeds as expected so far. Interspersed with mild burst of paranoia.
I just had the exercise bike delivered. Great fun getting it up the stairs as its 21 kg or 3 stone and a bit… The box went up end over end on the steps with a bit of shoving from my thighs. So that’s some serious cardio training even before I got it out of the box. I hope it will help keep up my stamina during the winter months when taking walks is not always that great when the cold starts to bite. It also has a couple of extra resistance training aids too. I have a bit too much belly and I would like to see if I can shift some of it also my core muscles are weak and that makes my back worse too. So I shall try and work it in with my other exercises too. I am not expecting miracles but who knows it should help a little. The pain is real as they say. Snap, Crackle and Pop.

Weird Synchronicity

It’s so tiring though. So here is an old tune that needs a few more plays I feel. I am continuing to work on stuff as usual of course and seeing if I can find a few new tricks along the way too.

And as ever the world falls apart around us minute by minute of course.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace

Peace means societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups.

“Psychological peace” (such as peaceful thinking and emotions) is less well-defined, yet perhaps a necessary precursor to establishing “behavioural peace”. Peaceful behaviour sometimes results from a “peaceful inner disposition”. It has been argued by some that inner qualities such as tranquility, patience, respect, compassion, kindness, self-control, courage, moderation, forgiveness, equanimity, and the ability to see the big picture can promote peace within an individual, regardless of the external circumstances of their life.

Etymology

Before the word ‘peace’ came into English lexicon, Anglo-Saxons used a phrase “friðu sibb” for “pledge of peace”.

The term ‘peace’ originates from the Anglo-French pes, and the Old French pais, meaning “peace, reconciliation, silence, agreement” (11th century).[3] The Anglo-French term pes itself comes from the Latin pax, meaning “peace, compact, agreement, treaty of peace, tranquility, absence of hostility, harmony.”

The English word came into use in various personal greetings from c. 1300 as a translation of the Hebrew word shalom, which, according to Jewish theology, comes from a Hebrew verb meaning ‘to be complete, whole’.[4] Although “peace” is the usual translation, it is an incomplete one, because shalom, which is also cognate with the Arabic salaam, has multiple other meanings in addition to peace, including justice, good health, safety, well-being, prosperity, equity, security, good fortune, and friendliness, as well as simply the greetings, “hello” and “goodbye”.[5]

If only…