like memory of music fled

What first of the month traditions do you have (if any)? At school we used to do the "pinch, punch, first of the month" with a symbolic pinch and punch as the words were spoken, followed by "No returns" and then you said "White Rabbits". I don't know why, I've always found rabbits a bit creepy, especially white ones.

I was going to make up some elaborate untruth, but all the ones I could think of were a bit serious.
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend, I'm off to Wales later, sun is out, life's pretty good.

I admit that before last weekend, I couldn't even spell ukulele, but have, due to number one son's homework project, been quite immersed in the subject over the last few days.

There was a rather disastrous attempt to tune the uke we're borrowing from my brother (I knew the string wasn't going to be able to go that high, but persisted in tightening it anyway), but apart from that it's been all fun and games. Really, can anyone listen to Tiny Tim's Livin' in the Sunlight and not smile? I can't.

Then there is Amanda Palmer's fabulous Ukulele Anthem suggesting that if Sid Vicious had had a ukulele instead of a bass guitar his life might have been very different, Jake Shimabukuro's cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Somewhere Over the Rainbow and oh just everything!

Here's a Spotify playlist for anyone in need of a little whimsy.
http://open.spotify.com/user/xseawitch/playlist/4nN31UT6flwO9F5RySn3dX

It has distracted me from the absence of small son and hubby (one at camp one at rugby) and the fact that I've felt a bit sick for most of the day.

I have read Robin Hobb's The Inheritance which was a bit grim, but good and enjoyed the new episodes of Penguins of Madagascar more than an adult probably should. Feel like I need a holiday, but at least buds are opening and the sun came out. Got very bored of fog at the beginning of the week.

Happy St Patrick's day to any that celebrate it. I put on a crocheted shawl that belonged to my grandmother and realised that it still smelled of her perfume, she's still here, in so many ways. Have a good what's left of the weekend, my friends.

Happy St David's Day


My daffodils aren't out yet, this was from my garden last year, they're in bud though.
Today is foggy. I had my hair cut not quite as short as I wanted. Is it acceptable to get a hairdresser to redo a cut lots of times? She finished it once and I got her to do it again because it was to long, but she still didn't take as much off as I wanted her to. I'll like it more when it's settled down a bit, I think/hope.

Have a good end of the week, everyone.

It was a strange week, Mr Bethnoir was poorly and allergic to the first two antibiotics prescribed, which actually made him significantly more ill than he started off, third lot seem to be working. So I've been ferrying to and fro the doctor's surgery, picking up medicine and being worried.

We did manage a much needed expedition to Raglan Castle, which was wonderful, circling buzzard and all. Generally though half term was a bit of a washout.


Luckily my mood has been raised by the new Anthony Reynolds CD, a retrospective, remastered to great effect and sounding all sparkly and bright. It's making me smile and want to dance around the room which is an improvement on the last week.

Going to see Patrick Duff tonight, but it's snowing. ( Read more... )

Today I've been feeling quite cheerful, like there's a positive vibe going on somehow. I'm quite excited about the potential holiday we'll be having in the summer, so many fab Abbeys near York and other cool stuff too. Just got to find a nice cottage, with clothes washing facilities and a bath this time, in a good location and we'll be really going. I have stayed in York itself, but don't know the area well, fancied being out in the country a bit, any suggestions?

I bought a ticket to see Patrick Duff at Arnos Vale Cemetery, even though I will be going alone.

Then a few days ago, on facebook an old friend from MySpace messaged me to say hi as she's going too! On Wednesday I unexpectedly met up with another friend who loves Nick Cave and we talked about maybe seeing some bands in the local area. Not sure we like the same stuff, but I wanted to go to gigs and here is a "gig buddy", as he put it. Result!


So social things are looking up a bit, which is good as I've been feeling that despite having lovely online friends, sometimes it would be nice to interact with some people face to face.

It probably sounds strange, but I am also really pleased to hear that my ex-boyfriend has just had a baby daughter with his wife. He was a good friend and I wish him well.

Still got a cough, but I'm feeling better and I managed to do a bit of creative writing today. It's just for fun and probably a bit rubbish but I'm pleased a actually did something. Hope you're all having a great weekend. I'm off to drink some more Imperial Spice tea, adios.

I've just seen the lead singer of a band like on the cover of Hello! magazine. Surely the world has gone wrong!


http://aka.media.entertainment.sky.com/image/unscaled/2012/01/16/Peaches-Geldof-Thomas-Cohen-Hello-0112-5.jpg

Thomas Cohen from S.C.U.M is going to be a father, must be saving up for really posh crib to invite the photographers in.

[Error: unknown template qotd]

1.Apple Tree Man (All About Eve)

2.Fotheringay (Sandy Denny)

3.Ornaments of Gold (Siouxsie & the Banshees)

4.Blume (but only if I can duet with Blixa Bargeld)

5. Sleeping Pill (Queen Adreena)


6. If (Pink Floyd)

7. Since Yesterday (Strawberry Switchblade)

They would be radical interpretations, of course, and I know I can't sing like Sandy, but I'd enjoy trying (not sure anyone else would).

You can learn a lot about someone by the music they listen to. Hit
shuffle on your iPod or mp3 player and write down the first 20 songs. No
cheating or skipping songs that are shameful. That is the fun!

I'd love to see yours if you felt like having a go :-)

1.And Dream Of Sheep - Kate Bush

2.The Sun Always Shines on TV - Aha

3.Twilight Home - Justin Sullivan ( 4 to 20 under the cut )

you know when you get all excited about a new band you've discovered and feel all cool and brave for a minute? or is this just me?

Well thanks to this free Mute sampler I discovered S.C.U.M. I was put off by their name, but listened anyway, as I generally love more Mute signings than ones I hate and now I reckon I'm a fan



Disappointingly, the more I find out about them, the more I find I'm being totally predictable and that if I'd read the press I wouldn't like them (related to the Horrors? Dating Peachesor possibly Pixie Geldolf? Poses like Nick Cave? (well actually I like that last one, but I thought I was liking something out of my usual thing, you know), New Grave? already liked by 2 of my facebook friends who like similar music) *sigh*

Anyway, free downloads from Amazon are cool and if I lived closer I'd be keen to see this lot.
( non music stuff )