It’s easy to see why people give up and hit the painkillers. How do you motivate yourself on those days when everything just hurts? It’s difficult for sure.

At the moment the new bit is doing sitting squats which I can also do through the day and that seems to be helping as I how have a bit of definition between the bottom of my ribs and the top of my belly. The core is my main problem so I am also doing stand-up planks. If I can keep it up I shall be able to continue my career as a frivolous musical internet tart. Today as I write this I have felt a little lost to be honest. Its very clear to me now that to keep on trucking I need a bit of a mini workout regularly if only to maintain my present mobility.And possibly a little over exercised too. Suddenly felt really cold and realised I have the heating set too low. A combination of east wind and a lot of rain has made it a tad chillier than usual here.

So whilst I want to get on with stuff I wont be doing too much this week I think unless I have a bit of revival and uplift. I Might transcribe a couple more of my old songs from recordings this week though as the first couple have gone well rather well. Although some of the songs seem complex due to the arrangements but the basic harmonic structures are often 6 to 7 chords underneath many of them so they are performable.

I did a simple thing but it made me happy: I transcribed my latest song so I have a lyric and lead sheet. It took about 30 minutes so I shall do this with some of the other songs I have recorded with the intent of torturing people at OMs and Folk singarounds. I have suffered for my art and so should you… A small thing but a step forward.

Noon January 20, 1961. In his inaugural address, JFK spoke of the need for all Americans to be active citizens: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” He asked the nations of the world to join to fight what he called the “common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.”He added:

“All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.” In closing, he expanded on his desire for greater internationalism: “Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.”

Or

” They were farmers and soldiers, cowboys and factory workers, steelworkers and coal miners, police officers and pioneers who pushed onward, marched forward, and let no obstacle defeat their spirit or their pride. Together, they laid down the railroads, raised up the skyscrapers, built great highways, won two world wars, defeated fascism and communism, and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced.”

Yet what we see Trump doing with the ICE thugs is clearly fascism. I really don’t understand how US politics works. My greatest fear is that the wannabes (Farage and his unspeakables) in this country might get into power at some point in my lifetime.

What a contrast. Obviously JFK was far from perfect, if he had lived would we still have a man like Trump eventually come to power. I guess the answer is yes because ‘Mostly Old White Men’ and a few of their young rich disciples seem pretty much unstoppable.

Everything is fucked now.

A thought at reaching 69: I don’t seek death but I am aware of its presence at least in the mirror in the distance. Something glimpsed in the shadows. I am not an optimist. All we ever have at best within reason is another day if we are spared. I find it easy to live that way as I have gotten older. Your welcome.

I think at times perhaps I am like a cat scratching at the door that demands to be let out then immediately wishes to come indoors again 😂 My no plan, plan seems to be the best way to engage with 2026 to be honest.

No cows were harmed in the making of this movie 🙂
It’s hard work, I just have zero motivation again now. Its wet so it’s an indoor play day I think.

Here are a few tunes to check out.

• Good Sense Of Humour
  A song about when your love thinks you're a clown but you don't care, so you sing a happy song
• Tell Me What Did I Do To You
  Slow rock ballad
• No More Excuse
  No More Excuses because you are bad. Slightly Gospel Blues feel song
• Mostly Grey Or Gray
  Mostly Grey Or Gray by Diana Stone
• A Place You Will Never Find
  A peaceful violin and electronica instrumental vibe.
• Feeling The Fear
  A song about feeling the fear and running away, but its not far enough.
• Still Fire Inside
  A song about feeling the blood rushing and the spirit still rises with that special person.
• Show Me Something I Can Believe In
  Pop world vibe
• I Know You Will Bite Me
  A song about when you know somebody is dangerous no matter what they say.
• Christmas Jingle Thing No1
  Electronica Christmas Music
• I See You For What You Are
  I See You For What You Are by Diana Stone
• Drifting on a gentle wind
  Impressionistic Solo Piano
• Slow Sunday Winter
  Thinking on a winter's day about what's gone wrong.

I have not got much else to say today to be honest. So take it easy wherever you are and try and stay safe.