Crikey, I hadn't realised how long it had been since I last posted one of those "this is what's going on" blogs.
Over the Friday to Sunday (19-21 August) weekend I found myself on the beer delivery place, where the lorries go to pick up the beer to take here, there and everywhere. A nice and old fashioned gatehouse type of job, with me adding some patrols in. I was going out quite a bit, and even received a call on the site mobile to request access, because I was doing a patrol at the time.
It's strange how I was thinking about my old job at The Avenue in Chesterfield where I was on security. It's not really the same, but similar.
I even had a chance to record my cover version of Don't Worry Be Happy because I just wanted to. I wasn't intending to, but just decided to have a go at it. This I did on Sunday, as well as some cleaning up of Here, There & Everywhere (a beautiful Beatles song from the Revolver album), as well as Winter Rose/Love Awake. I'll have to clean up Subterranean Homesick Blues as well I suppose. I think I'll clean up Don't Worry Be Happy as well, because that is dodgy in a few places. Other songs that I have done for the Recovery project include God Save The Queen, Ain't No Sunshine, Angry Chair, Never Tear Us Apart, and of course Band On The Run (this link isn't the version that will feature on Recovery).
I like the delivery site. It's not like I do nothing on there, but it's just relaxed. If you think about it, 12 hour shifts (or longer in some cases) are not really the sort of thing where you want to be active for the whole time. I have been busy non-stop before on long shifts, but they can tend to be irritating more than anything else.
Monday I was back at the site where I said before that I had made mistakes. Now though I'm more used to it. I like that I am settling into the site, but starting at 5 o'clock in the morning is still pissing me off in a lot of ways. It may not sound it to those not in the know, but a 6 o'clock start would have been much more preferable. I've got up at 4.30 in the morning before plenty of times for jobs. Even getting to sleep for 1030 would give 6 hours sleep. Trying to get to sleep for 930 at night in the centre of Newark (with five pubs within earshot) is nigh on impossible without earplugs.
Whatever I say I still arrive around 4.30 in the morning to site, and then stand in the pitch black between ten to five and six in the morning making sure the correct vehicles go to the correct car park, according to their job with the company I am on the gatehouse for (another gatehouse). It's similar to jobs I have done before. I'm also reading at a rate of knots. The Ozzy Osbourne autobiography was taking an age to get through with the previous job, but now I just sit in the gatehouse reading like no one's business.
Most likely people will be irritated by the fact that I don't know who they are on the sites that I work on, but that's always the way isn't it. It's a little weird being in that position to be honest with you. Not knowing who people are on a site such as this, especially after how long I was on the similar site at Chesterfield.
They have asked me to work an extra but when I said I couldn't they were okay with it. They also are very accommodating with the hours that I want, and apologetic when asking if I can work extra. The big drop in hourly rate is slightly irritating, but sometimes that drop is worth it to get something that I am after. I've come to the realisation that for me personally I need time off as opposed to the finance. It has taken me a long time to find something that seemingly is what I have been looking for, but only for as long as they don't ask me to cover any of the sites that have 16 hour shifts. Those days are over by a long shot.
Thank you for reading, please take care.
28 August 2011 (40 years, 9 months, and 2 days old)
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
A New World Order bonus song 6 - The Political Prisoner
Here we are again. I yet again have to make up this blog from the top of my head because I haven't got the note book with me that I had pre-written this blog in. The Political Prisoner is a very different song. Despite how it may sound, it was actually written in one session. I'm very proud of the song, particularly with what there is in just a little over 2 minutes. The story is obviously complete fiction, because I have never been a political prisoner, but obviously I have heard of people being imprisoned for political crimes in countries, and I have also seen a fair few films that were based in prisons, including Midnight Express. I was just coming up with something on the spot, but am guessing that all of these things probably shaped my creativity.
Surprisingly, the music and words were actually written at the same time, with guitar in hand and making the words up on the spot. I just mess around on the guitar a lot and come up with chord progressions on the spot (much like a lot of people I suppose), and sometimes one sticks. This was one that stuck so much that I wrote the song immediately. The verse music came first, and then when I wanted a chorus type thing I did take a little time messing around trying to find out what it should be. The words to the chorus actually did come before the music itself, because as I was singing the verse and went into what would be the chorus, the words just seemed to be there. So, I just wrote the first chorus down, and then played around trying to work out what the chords should be according to the melody notes that I had in mind (well, harmony as well actually, because I did have some "aah" harmonies in my head as well while writing, which was helpful in some ways).It just seemed right to me for there be an extended chorus type thing at the end, and I think a very fitting end to the story. I was very much in the zone creatively at the time. Arrangement wise it is very much in keeping with the way I recorded then, with basic live acoustic guitar and vocal, with nothing else (bar some reverb of course). The reason this wasn't included on A New World Order originally was actually because I intended to do it again, but as a fully produced piece featuring choir style backing, marching drums. When the One Day set comes out, take a listen to Spinning The Wheel and you'll get an idea of where I'm coming from music wise.
As it happened, I never did get around to recording a full production version of this song, but feel that it is wasted if I just left it to gather digital dust from not being out there for people to hear.HERE IS THE SONG!
Thank you for reading, please take care.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
A New World Order bonus song 5 - Sorry
Excuse me if this blog doesn't seem so organised as previous one's about the A New World Order songs, but I seem to have lost my notes.
As I have said before I have been thinking of writing a musical about a black family over the years and using that to look at how things have changed with respect to people's opinions on race. Here I imagined a couple who had split up, where he had an affair and she was working in the fields for all hours. They had 9 children together, and their relationship had obviously broken down. Now years later he's thinking about things, how things could have been different, and actually at the end comes to the realisation that there is still some spark there, but the feelings between them are so fraught with the passage of time, bitterness, and everything that it would be almost inconceivable to do anything about it. As he says, "the blood boils within me when I look upon you." There is still a hint of bitterness there and anger that gets in the way.
It is completely fictional, but I am really proud of the words to this. I think it is a very complete lyric, telling the story well, and unusually for me it keeps the momentum, whereas I quite often lose the plot when writing lyrics sometimes.
It was a quick song to write. Back then I wasn't working, so when I wrote the words down I could immediately go upstairs and fetch my guitar to put music to it (I lived in a flat above a shop on Leeming Lane in Mansfield/Mansfield Woodhouse at the time, where there was an upstairs in the attic as well). I'm very proud of the music as well, where the rhythm of the playing, the choice of chords (I can't remember them off hand surprisingly), the basic melody, and everything is just there.
The instrumentation is good as well, with the live vocal, acoustic guitar and harmonica getting the emotion of the piece over. Initially not included on A New World Order, again I thought it would be interesting to record it again sometime for a follow-up, but I didn't get around to it. I think that the song is far too good to not be heard, so I have included it on here as a bonus so that people can hear it whenever they like, because it is a great song in my opinion. I can still see it being sung in a musical as well if I'm being honest, and that musical idea still interests me.
Thank you for reading, please take care.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Just another day
I'm catching up with the backlog of posts that I had pre-written now.
I did get up at 3.30 in the morning on Thursday and do the whole shaving, brushing of teeth, moisturising and that by five to four when Louise got up to iron me a shirt while I had a bite to eat and a cup of tea. Thank you darling.xxx She did go back to bed though (don't blame I).
I left home at 4.25 and got to site at 4.30. That is very different for me. It's officially a 5 o'clock start as well, but apparently if you're early the guard you take off tries to do the same at the other end of the shift.
I don't care what time of the year it is, but your hands and face get bloody chilly being stood outside between ten to five and six o'clock in the morning. I'll bring a beanie hat next time for sure.
The guard named Anthony was already there when I arrived, so he must have been bloody early. He's on a station that I keep on swapping with, mainly because he isn't allowed to eat there, and there is a toilet where he is, but not on either of the other two stations on this side of the site.
It's funny but at around half past six or so the electricians showed up who were father and son, with the son being my younger brother James' friend Chris, which was great. Nice lad.
At the moment it has just gone a quarter to ten in the morning and I think I'll get some more reading done because this is the second blog that I've written today. I'm looking at the other blog that I write and think that I should maybe let people know that I am having a breather from it while I get used to my new job, and to give me time to work on a couple of other things that need finishing off. It also gives me time to think about how I'm going to do Oo You, and the rest of the songs that are left. Not many left I'll grant you.
I will do Singalong Junk as well, but am not sure about Kreen-Akrore. For completist purposes though I suppose that I should do it, but I'm averse to spending money on studio time just so I can do drums, and this is a song that is mainly just drums for the most part.
Oh hell, I keep making the mistake here, so I'll pop another pro-plus then.
It's just coming up to four now and I have cleaned the surfaces, vacuum-ed the carpet tiles, and filled the kettle for my relieving officer. I've been given my shifts for next week, as well as another shift somewhere else. What I do know is that they have a couple of sites which I will say no to if asked to do them. They are sites that would require me to travel, and I actually like to sleep between shifts even if last night proves otherwise.
I know that I will get a better sleep tonight because I will be so tired. I also know that I am looking forward to a great meal. Yummy.
Flipping heck. All that in one day! Crikey.
Thank you for reading. Please take care.
20 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 25 days old).
I did get up at 3.30 in the morning on Thursday and do the whole shaving, brushing of teeth, moisturising and that by five to four when Louise got up to iron me a shirt while I had a bite to eat and a cup of tea. Thank you darling.xxx She did go back to bed though (don't blame I).
I left home at 4.25 and got to site at 4.30. That is very different for me. It's officially a 5 o'clock start as well, but apparently if you're early the guard you take off tries to do the same at the other end of the shift.
I don't care what time of the year it is, but your hands and face get bloody chilly being stood outside between ten to five and six o'clock in the morning. I'll bring a beanie hat next time for sure.
The guard named Anthony was already there when I arrived, so he must have been bloody early. He's on a station that I keep on swapping with, mainly because he isn't allowed to eat there, and there is a toilet where he is, but not on either of the other two stations on this side of the site.
It's funny but at around half past six or so the electricians showed up who were father and son, with the son being my younger brother James' friend Chris, which was great. Nice lad.
At the moment it has just gone a quarter to ten in the morning and I think I'll get some more reading done because this is the second blog that I've written today. I'm looking at the other blog that I write and think that I should maybe let people know that I am having a breather from it while I get used to my new job, and to give me time to work on a couple of other things that need finishing off. It also gives me time to think about how I'm going to do Oo You, and the rest of the songs that are left. Not many left I'll grant you.
I will do Singalong Junk as well, but am not sure about Kreen-Akrore. For completist purposes though I suppose that I should do it, but I'm averse to spending money on studio time just so I can do drums, and this is a song that is mainly just drums for the most part.
Oh hell, I keep making the mistake here, so I'll pop another pro-plus then.
It's just coming up to four now and I have cleaned the surfaces, vacuum-ed the carpet tiles, and filled the kettle for my relieving officer. I've been given my shifts for next week, as well as another shift somewhere else. What I do know is that they have a couple of sites which I will say no to if asked to do them. They are sites that would require me to travel, and I actually like to sleep between shifts even if last night proves otherwise.
I know that I will get a better sleep tonight because I will be so tired. I also know that I am looking forward to a great meal. Yummy.
Flipping heck. All that in one day! Crikey.
Thank you for reading. Please take care.
20 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 25 days old).
Friday, 19 August 2011
The Eighth Day, and the next three
Sunday I went to the christening of one of Louise’s family members, which was a lovely thing. Well, I say christening, but it being Church of England they called it a Child Baptism. It’s the same sort of thing really. The songs were all dreary in terms of melody, and I felt like they could have been mashed up because they were so similar. Like the same tune with different words – think He’s So Fine and My Sweet Lord.
Monday was a day off, with me sort of in limbo between one job finishing and another one starting. The new job said they would give me that day off. Louise started her new job that day, and we both got up at about half past seven.
It was my pay day, so I had already been out and paid some bills by the time I walked Louise almost to work. Both of us now working seemingly close to home – me a five minute drive away, and Louise a five minute walk away.
When I had said goodbye to Louise I went back to the market where I purchased a DVD documentary about The Moody Blues and a Motley Crue CD. The latter was of the Dr Feelgood album, and unbeknownst to him it was Matt Blick’s fault because his Beatles Songwriting Academy blog had been talking about the song I Want You (She’s So Heavy), which made me remember how Motley Crue had sort of based an ending to one of their songs on that album on a riff from this Beatles song, but I wasn’t sure which Motley Crue song it was. I’d owned the album on vinyl before, having bought it on the day of release, but I sold off my vinyl years ago unfortunately, probably to buy guitar strings or something. I put the CD on while I pottered around, and the song in question was Slice Of Your Pie.
The guitar came out as well because I had been messing around earlier while Louise was getting ready, and during that time I came up with a chord progression that I liked. A lot!
Not only did I finish that off, but also added two more sections to it, and then recorded a rough demo of it. I’m very happy with it, although I have no lyrics for it just yet.
After Louise got back, she sorted a load of washing out for me to take to the launderette, because the washing machine has given up the ghost. We will get a new one either this week or next week.
I sat there for a little over half an hour while the washing was being done, at last carrying on with reading my Ozzy Osbourne autobiography, that I had started ages ago (I’ll get onto one of the books my Uncle Clive has sent me to read afterwards).
After putting the washing out on airers at home to dry, we went and did the weekly shopping trip.
Tuesday I got to the new employer’s office at 9.30 in the morning, as they would be taking me to sites I would be on apparently. Essentially it seemed like four positions on the same site. Personally I would work them as teams, but I don’t write rota’s do I. It is Newark
Despite the fact that all four posts are 24 hour cover, there are three very different start times. I would make them all the same start and finish times, and possibly rotate duties, but that’s me.
I was done for about ten past two, and walked from the site back to my employer’s office – less than thirty seconds. I had been given my shifts for the week, which include an ungodly five in the morning start. Whoever came up with that idea wants shooting. Nice for the night worker, but not so for the day shift!
I got back home for half past two and put the kettle on. I made me and Louise a cuppa, as she finished work at two and I expected her back soon, which she was. We went out shortly after and bumped into our neighbour, who after chatting suggested we use her washing machine for the time being. A lovely offer, which we took advantage of later on.
While we were out I got two films out from Blockbuster, which were Source Code and Ice Age 3. We watched Source Code that night, which is a fantastic film by the way. That’s a case of two for two then for filmmaker Duncan Jones. I loved his previous film Moon as well.
Wednesday say Louise going to work again, during which I recorded another cover version for my Recovery project, and I virtually completed Subterranean Homesick Blues, which I’m glad of. I may redo some vocal parts, but musically it’s there I think (albeit with some cleaning up required where I have done some punching in).
That night we had a great salad with a jacket potato and a spinach and ricotta quiche, followed by a naughty rice pudding.
We watched Ice Age 3, as well as the extras, which meant getting to bed after 11 at night, which isn't good when you're getting up at half past three the next morning.
Thank you for reading, please take care.
20 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 25 days old)
The Last Eight Days - Part Two
So my days off then. I can't remember too much about Wednesday and Thursday except for lots of chilling and getting some tidying up done. We did some wandering around Newark, but not that much really.
We've watched a lot of Ace Of Cakes and Kid In A Candystore, which are both on the Food Network UK channel, and have a tendency to make you hungry and, in the case of Ace Of Cakes, laugh at the shenanigans of Duff and everyone else there. I am tempted though to find out how much they would charge to get cake over here. Probably a bloody lot I'd assume. If you have never watched it then I suggest you just once to see what they can do - amazing!
On the Friday I got quite a bit done I suppose. I got the next instalment in the music blog typed up and finished the song for it - Man We Was Lonely by Paul McCartney.
I also recorded two more cover versions for my Recovery project. These two songs were Angry Chair by Alice In Chains and Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers. I am sort of over half way through now I suppose, but that's questionable since two of the songs are by Wings. There are gaps, but presently I have the following;
1. Band On The Run - Wings
2. God Save The Queen - Sex Pistols
3. Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
4. Subterranean Homesick Blues - Bob Dylan
5. Angry Chair - Alice In Chains
6. Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
11. Winter Rose/Love Awake - Wings
As I said there are two Wings songs, and Subterranean Homesick Blues is nowhere near finished just yet. It's only a personal project anyway as I can't sell it to anyone, unfortunately.
I also started work on the music to a song I've been writing that I hope the lovely Rebecca Bains will record. It's a love song and is titled "Oh Love My Love". I'm happy with the chorus music, but not overwhelmed with the rest of the music just yet. It's okay, but a second opinion has been asked by my friend Rob Huskinson because sometimes you can be too close to something to look properly at it. I really intend to impress with the song.
I shared a nice evening with my sweetheart, along with a great meal as ever.
I'm sort of worried about the Saturday shift at Lincoln, since it will be my last. I will miss the people there, but I feel that it's a good thing because they will have someone who actually wants 100% be a Retail Security guard, and therefore will do a better job. I was okay, but they will be better... Not as friendly though!
I can see the new job hopefully giving me more time to work on things while I am there. I'm hoping to finish a few projects off, as well as hopefully build up a better bank balance from not using the car as much. I can't walk to work with a laptop and guitar can I!!!
Tomorrow (Saturday) will be difficult though and maybe emotional even. I will miss the people there.
So here I am then on my last shift for these employers, and it is Lincoln. A good job really because if they had changed it at the last minute then I would have told them to forget it. That would have been the last straw, the final curtain, the ultimate finale, the end of it, the last rolo, the... ... You get the point.
I've found a few things while I have been here today, but I still have a while left of the shift.
John has just left and wished me well, followed by Carol the cleaner. John said that he will see me on the "Book Of Faces", which you've probably guessed means Facebook. It's actually getting a little tougher as the day moves on.
I've just this second posted that I don't think that I'll e stopping late tonight, instead leaving on time for once. I don't care if there are any customers left, which I don't think that there will be anyway.
As it is, it's basically dead in the store after about seven o'clock to be honest. I'll still leave the shop floor dead on ten tonight because that will be it. The last moment of paid work. Not give longer than that.
Now for something I'm adding to this pre-written blog. As it turned out I did wait for the last customer to leave, then went to the Security room and came back out to give Rachel at the kiosk a card that I had for the workers of the store in general to thank them.
Thank you to everyone from all of the Morrison's stores that I worked, but Lincoln was the store that I did the most often and, to be honest, they basically taught me what to do.
Thank you for reading, please take care.
19 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 24 days old)
We've watched a lot of Ace Of Cakes and Kid In A Candystore, which are both on the Food Network UK channel, and have a tendency to make you hungry and, in the case of Ace Of Cakes, laugh at the shenanigans of Duff and everyone else there. I am tempted though to find out how much they would charge to get cake over here. Probably a bloody lot I'd assume. If you have never watched it then I suggest you just once to see what they can do - amazing!
On the Friday I got quite a bit done I suppose. I got the next instalment in the music blog typed up and finished the song for it - Man We Was Lonely by Paul McCartney.
I also recorded two more cover versions for my Recovery project. These two songs were Angry Chair by Alice In Chains and Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers. I am sort of over half way through now I suppose, but that's questionable since two of the songs are by Wings. There are gaps, but presently I have the following;
1. Band On The Run - Wings
2. God Save The Queen - Sex Pistols
3. Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
4. Subterranean Homesick Blues - Bob Dylan
5. Angry Chair - Alice In Chains
6. Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
11. Winter Rose/Love Awake - Wings
As I said there are two Wings songs, and Subterranean Homesick Blues is nowhere near finished just yet. It's only a personal project anyway as I can't sell it to anyone, unfortunately.
I also started work on the music to a song I've been writing that I hope the lovely Rebecca Bains will record. It's a love song and is titled "Oh Love My Love". I'm happy with the chorus music, but not overwhelmed with the rest of the music just yet. It's okay, but a second opinion has been asked by my friend Rob Huskinson because sometimes you can be too close to something to look properly at it. I really intend to impress with the song.
I shared a nice evening with my sweetheart, along with a great meal as ever.
I'm sort of worried about the Saturday shift at Lincoln, since it will be my last. I will miss the people there, but I feel that it's a good thing because they will have someone who actually wants 100% be a Retail Security guard, and therefore will do a better job. I was okay, but they will be better... Not as friendly though!
I can see the new job hopefully giving me more time to work on things while I am there. I'm hoping to finish a few projects off, as well as hopefully build up a better bank balance from not using the car as much. I can't walk to work with a laptop and guitar can I!!!
Tomorrow (Saturday) will be difficult though and maybe emotional even. I will miss the people there.
So here I am then on my last shift for these employers, and it is Lincoln. A good job really because if they had changed it at the last minute then I would have told them to forget it. That would have been the last straw, the final curtain, the ultimate finale, the end of it, the last rolo, the... ... You get the point.
I've found a few things while I have been here today, but I still have a while left of the shift.
John has just left and wished me well, followed by Carol the cleaner. John said that he will see me on the "Book Of Faces", which you've probably guessed means Facebook. It's actually getting a little tougher as the day moves on.
I've just this second posted that I don't think that I'll e stopping late tonight, instead leaving on time for once. I don't care if there are any customers left, which I don't think that there will be anyway.
As it is, it's basically dead in the store after about seven o'clock to be honest. I'll still leave the shop floor dead on ten tonight because that will be it. The last moment of paid work. Not give longer than that.
Now for something I'm adding to this pre-written blog. As it turned out I did wait for the last customer to leave, then went to the Security room and came back out to give Rachel at the kiosk a card that I had for the workers of the store in general to thank them.
Thank you to everyone from all of the Morrison's stores that I worked, but Lincoln was the store that I did the most often and, to be honest, they basically taught me what to do.
Thank you for reading, please take care.
19 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 24 days old)
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
The Last Eight Days - Part One
Here is the first part of a pre-written blog, that I had been writing while I was still working for the previous company.
Now it is Sunday (7th August 2011) and I am at Lincoln
I’ve done a lot of chattage today, especially with John and Kel. John suggested I call the music blog Troubadour’s Musings or something like that. I like those words, but am not sure if they fit that blog. I think it could actually be an alternative title for this one to be honest, because I’m not so sure about Ramblings of A 40 something anymore.
In my first break Kel came over and sat with me. We talked about the Rock Band and Guitar Hero games, possible emulators for the DS, guitars, amps, music, and all sorts. He mentioned that the first thing he learnt to play was the E pedal bass for Van Halen’s Running With The Devil, which brought about a conversation on Van Halen, Extreme, riffs, and all that sort of stuff. I think I’ll listen to the first Van Halen album on the way home – thanks Kel.
Kel plays guitar now rather than bass, and he loves metal! I may see if there’s some potential music project there. It’s always tempting to jam and rock out. It’s been a few years since I’ve played with a band.
I’m already weighing up the potential for solo gigs again, although they scare the hell out of me – on my Jack Jones! Solo gigs really do scare me, and I am like it all the way through. I don’t know what it is, but being on my own in front of an audience is frightening, more so than band gigs. Perhaps I’ll be less scared now that I’ve been doing this job? Who knows?
Stu and Gary are working the Wines and Spirits today, with Joey seeming to have wangled a day off. Polly is working in the garden centre as well. Yes, I do seem to know a lot of the people’s names here don’t I.
I have actually averted some crime today, including someone trying to walk out with a trolley containing just shy of £440 worth of goods.
Now I am writing on the Monday, and I am at the store in Stavely. A much smaller store, and I’m not really sure how to explain where it is. It’s supposed to be close to Chesterfield Chesterfield
It doesn’t take long to get here, but it was a 37 mile journey still, and my light is on to show low fuel. I’ll put the £2 I have in there and see if I can get back.
Once again it is a farewell trip, and I haven’t been here since January. I’ve bumped into the wife of the car park attendant for Lincoln
I left Newark later than intended because I bumped into my mum there, which surprised me because the last I knew she had moved to Shrewsbury
I still don’t understand the logic of this retail security lark. Yesterday I got that trolley of goods as a stop at the barrier, but today the alarm sounded. I checked their items (which were paid for), but then they complained to the manager and I got told off for it. He said that it would cost the store thousands if that customer sued them, which is awful. I’ve felt bad when the barriers sounded on me in stores, but I wouldn’t sue the store if security stopped me to check. It’s their job.
Anway, that was then, and now I am writing on the Tuesday and am back at Lincoln Lincoln
John is here as well today, as is M’Lard. Management wise there’s almost the full gamut here – Richard, Paul, Michael and Matt!!! Blinking heck! There’s only Steve missing. I was going to be funny and post up “How many managers does it take to work a Morrison’s store?” I thought better of it though… Still tempted though.
I’ve heard from my new employers today and have been informed what days I will be working, but not where and what times. Hmm??? Triple question marks there, and perhaps an exclamation mark here too!
I chatted with M’Lard on my second break and found out that his real name is David and not Donald. That John got me with that one! He said it’s a name he’s used to now, and doesn’t mind it.
Another nice shift at Lincoln
Thank you for reading, please take care.
17 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 22 days old)
Monday, 15 August 2011
Farewell Morrison's
I do actually have another couple of posts to do about Morrison's as in the two part "Last Eight Days", but for now I think I'll just quickly do this as a bit of a selfish thing to say goodbye to the people at these places.
This blog is basically a sort of adieu to those who work at the Morrison's stores where I have done security over the last ten months. Sorry if it's boring, but here we go;
Goodbye to those at Retford, Meadowhead (Sheffield), Skegness, Gamston, Bulwell, Melton Mowbray, Mansfield, Stavely, and all of the other numerous stores that I have worked. I'm sorry but I only have two hands to count with ;-)
To Debs who has worked at both Lincoln and Mansfield Woodhouse stores.
To Nick Logan, Dan Curry, Rose, Lindsay, Shirley, Pam, John Wade, David, Helen, Michael, Aaron, Nicky, Sam, Zoe, Kester, Mouse, Mark Blake, Kel, Damien, Rachel, Jayne, Carol, Gary, Steve Lyons, Mike, Joey, Jason, Phil Kirk, Dennis, Mickey, Kath, Linda, Scott, Donald (M'Lard), Jonathan, Jack, and everyone else that that I seem to not remember in a moment of forty-something forgetfulness who works in the Lincoln store especially for being so friendly, teaching me, and bringing me out more.
To Ross, Shazza, Pete, Sam, Jill, Dawn, Helen, Jade, Jeanette, the Lauren's, Mandie, Marg, Jody, Alison, Rosey, and all of the others at Mansfield Woodhouse. Sorry we parted in not such a good way.
I can't forget Steve, Lindsay, Tracy, Leon, Chris, and everyone else at Eastwood.
To Adam, Mark, Richard, Ben, Jigs, Josh, Terry, Charlotte, Jen, Radha, Anne, David, Pam, Jonathan, Varsha, Georgina, Simon, Neil, Neelam, and everyone else whose names escape me irritatingly that works at Loughborough.
To the management of these stores as well for not getting too irritated by how weird I am, as well as not noticing that I am writing my blogs while stood doing my job.
To those of Newark I also thank, but it's not even an adieu, as you are my corner shop, so I will probably be around soon for some shopping (well predicted).
To those at Lincoln, I will probably see you when we have a trip to Lincoln, or when I am on a cover shift at a site nearby.
It's surprising to realise, but the last ten months have been interesting, and I now have all of your stories to plagiarise for future song potential - heh heh.
To the other stores I have worked at and forgotten, I am sorry for that forgetfulness.
Thank you for the times.
Please take care.
15 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 20 days old).
This blog is basically a sort of adieu to those who work at the Morrison's stores where I have done security over the last ten months. Sorry if it's boring, but here we go;
Goodbye to those at Retford, Meadowhead (Sheffield), Skegness, Gamston, Bulwell, Melton Mowbray, Mansfield, Stavely, and all of the other numerous stores that I have worked. I'm sorry but I only have two hands to count with ;-)
To Debs who has worked at both Lincoln and Mansfield Woodhouse stores.
To Nick Logan, Dan Curry, Rose, Lindsay, Shirley, Pam, John Wade, David, Helen, Michael, Aaron, Nicky, Sam, Zoe, Kester, Mouse, Mark Blake, Kel, Damien, Rachel, Jayne, Carol, Gary, Steve Lyons, Mike, Joey, Jason, Phil Kirk, Dennis, Mickey, Kath, Linda, Scott, Donald (M'Lard), Jonathan, Jack, and everyone else that that I seem to not remember in a moment of forty-something forgetfulness who works in the Lincoln store especially for being so friendly, teaching me, and bringing me out more.
To Ross, Shazza, Pete, Sam, Jill, Dawn, Helen, Jade, Jeanette, the Lauren's, Mandie, Marg, Jody, Alison, Rosey, and all of the others at Mansfield Woodhouse. Sorry we parted in not such a good way.
I can't forget Steve, Lindsay, Tracy, Leon, Chris, and everyone else at Eastwood.
To Adam, Mark, Richard, Ben, Jigs, Josh, Terry, Charlotte, Jen, Radha, Anne, David, Pam, Jonathan, Varsha, Georgina, Simon, Neil, Neelam, and everyone else whose names escape me irritatingly that works at Loughborough.
To the management of these stores as well for not getting too irritated by how weird I am, as well as not noticing that I am writing my blogs while stood doing my job.
To those of Newark I also thank, but it's not even an adieu, as you are my corner shop, so I will probably be around soon for some shopping (well predicted).
To those at Lincoln, I will probably see you when we have a trip to Lincoln, or when I am on a cover shift at a site nearby.
It's surprising to realise, but the last ten months have been interesting, and I now have all of your stories to plagiarise for future song potential - heh heh.
To the other stores I have worked at and forgotten, I am sorry for that forgetfulness.
Thank you for the times.
Please take care.
15 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 20 days old).
Thursday, 11 August 2011
A New World Order bonus song 4 - Underdog
Firstly there is a problem with the harmonica where the harness had moved, because it is a live recording after all. The other is that I got the line wrong at the end - "One day the underdog, one day it ends", where it was meant to be "no longer the underdog, one day it ends". Now though listening with fresh ears, I actually think that the line works better that is there.
I like the song very much, and find the melody very effective. There is always the possibility that with a serious subject like this that you could go over the top, where this way it's just getting the message across, and I think the lyrics are terrific.Sometimes there are very rare occasions where you just write something and you can surprise yourself. This is definitely one of those moments. I was just picking up the guitar playing, and the lyrics were coming, so I kept putting it down, writing it out (including chords) and carrying on like that.
Suddenly as I would have put the guitar down to write normally, the bridge with music and lyrics came out, and that was it. I thought it was such a powerful part with the words and the music, and I knew there would have to be an instrumental bit after the bridge, because of the whole meaning of those lines in the bridge.
Then of course I wrote the last verse and the chorusy bit (I suppose it's a refrain really, but there it is). The whole thing of where the verses go, the bridge, and everything was from that original writing session.
Performed live, it has a strength to it that I think a full production may have destroyed. A beautiful song in my opinion.
HERE IS THE SONG!
Thank you for reading, please take care.
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Time off
I didn't really do very much during Friday off apart from typing up epic blogness and recording Jews Harp onto my version of Man We Was Lonely for the other blog about the music of the members of The Beatles, but after the split.
I did meet Louise from her working at the charity shop, where we then went to a couple of places until almost home we saw our neighbour sat on the bench from ours with her friend. We were all just chatting for a while, so I just asked if anyone wanted a cup of tea and then went to ours and made everyone a drink.
Louise thought that I was taking a while, so she came in to see what I was up to. It was just that the tea bags we have take a while to mash, so I got my gypsy organ out and started trying to play the song Junk on it. Louise likes the look of the instrument, but thinks that it sounds awful and morbid almost.
So, we got the drinks made and went back out, Louise taking the tray, and me nipping to Morrison's around the corner for some biscuits at 50p. I couldn't decide on McVities Ginger Nuts or McVities Shortcakes. I got both! What can I say, when the choice is there and they are 50p each, I choose - every option.
We must have been out there chatting for nearly two hours. All it meant was a later dinner, but still a nice bit of time spent there.
Saturday was sort of a lazy day. Louise wasn't feeling great, so I left her to sleep while I got up, did some reading, washed the pots left over from Friday night, and eventually brought her a cup of tea to wake up to.
I went out and did all of the shopping, leaving Louise to chill at home, or try to at least. I probably had the laptop on for far too long, and I did play a lot of Burnout Revenge on the PS2. It was a day off, what can I say?
At last I got some pictures off my phone onto the laptop, and got a couple of little bits done, but not that much really. If truth be told I was tired all day, and I didn't really feel like doing much of anything.
Back to work the next day for the first of the eight days that I have left working for my present employer. What is basically my home store - Lincoln.
Thank you for reading, please take care.
7 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 12 days old).
I did meet Louise from her working at the charity shop, where we then went to a couple of places until almost home we saw our neighbour sat on the bench from ours with her friend. We were all just chatting for a while, so I just asked if anyone wanted a cup of tea and then went to ours and made everyone a drink.
Louise thought that I was taking a while, so she came in to see what I was up to. It was just that the tea bags we have take a while to mash, so I got my gypsy organ out and started trying to play the song Junk on it. Louise likes the look of the instrument, but thinks that it sounds awful and morbid almost.
So, we got the drinks made and went back out, Louise taking the tray, and me nipping to Morrison's around the corner for some biscuits at 50p. I couldn't decide on McVities Ginger Nuts or McVities Shortcakes. I got both! What can I say, when the choice is there and they are 50p each, I choose - every option.
We must have been out there chatting for nearly two hours. All it meant was a later dinner, but still a nice bit of time spent there.
Saturday was sort of a lazy day. Louise wasn't feeling great, so I left her to sleep while I got up, did some reading, washed the pots left over from Friday night, and eventually brought her a cup of tea to wake up to.
I went out and did all of the shopping, leaving Louise to chill at home, or try to at least. I probably had the laptop on for far too long, and I did play a lot of Burnout Revenge on the PS2. It was a day off, what can I say?
At last I got some pictures off my phone onto the laptop, and got a couple of little bits done, but not that much really. If truth be told I was tired all day, and I didn't really feel like doing much of anything.
Back to work the next day for the first of the eight days that I have left working for my present employer. What is basically my home store - Lincoln.
Thank you for reading, please take care.
7 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 12 days old).
Friday, 5 August 2011
Blog so long it's being split up - Part Three
Tuesday 2nd was another shift at the Lincoln store. I enjoy working there, which I think is due to a mix of nice staff, and the fact that it's not a long journey for me to make. Someone asked me if I was permanently on that store would I be leaving, and I said that I probably wouldn't be. Oh well, all things must pass as George Harrison said in a great song that could easily have been a classic Beatles A-Side.
It was a good shift. It's very rare that there is any trouble at Lincoln, but there have obviously been times, such as when those lads tried to get off with the basket of meat and I chased them up the road, where they dumped it and I brought it right back to the shop. I know, me running - shocker. I've put weight on since then I guess.
Wednesday (as I am now writing this in the book) is the Loughborough store again. My last shift here as well, as I now have my rota for the rest of my employment with this company. Next Monday is a store I don't think I've been to this year, but I'll leave that for now and no mention where it is. For now I will just carry on with this blog.
I got here to Loughborough today and was shocked to see windows missing and boarded up, with pallets on the inside. The previous night people used paving slabs to smash through the window to try and steal the perfumes, aftershaves and the likes from the entrance way cabinet. The world today hey.
I was going to bring a guitar with me today, but decided against it. Probably a good thing considering the break in last night. I thought of doing some guitar playing with Mark from Produce. If nothing else he could have videoed me trying to do the song Junk for youtube, which I actually did the record of today, although I'm not fond of my vocal on it - no change there then.
Oh, that's great. In the last couple of minutes I've been able to say goodbye to Terry & Richard from the Loughborough store, as they have both been in as customers. That's made things a lot better. Trying not to get teary - it's only a job Marv!!!
It was difficult in a way to say goodbye to Loughborough. I suppose I'm just the sort of person who gets on with people when I should probably keep more of a distance? With that in mind I'll just admit that I miss my friends Tony, Mario, the music scene, and well everyone really... Except for that one over there, he-he.
Now it's Thursday when I am writing this and, to be honest, I'm in what is probably one of my least favourite stores,which is Grantham. There's just an atmosphere to the place that I don't like. I'm not the best retail guard by any stretch of the imagination, but here they can be just bloody rude in some cases. This will be a case of good riddance, and I don't use that term lightly I'll tell you.
At last I am half way through the first subject of my other blog series on the members of The Beatles careers after the split. I'm tempted to retitle it After The Beatles, what do you think?
I have just realised that the new job I'm taking will most likely bring a lot of internet action for me. I know, as if I don't do enough on the internet already. I'll be getting a bloody clot like that guy who died from playing on the X-Box for over 12 hours each day. Condolences to his family, rest in peace.
God I am looking forward to the end of this shift. This is my seventh shift in a row and I am really shattered. The weather doesn't help with there being no air to breathe, and it is so warm. I know that it'll be worse now that I am going back to a job that is mainly nights, but that's the way things have to be really. I had to do something because the travel was driving me crazy (excuse the unintended pun).
I've just finished writing a set of lyrics for a new song I'm going to write as a potential for a female singer. Fingers crossed people. It's a love song, so that should be in it's favour.
Just chatted with my great friend Robert Sumner here at work, who lives in Grantham somewhere. That was nice, lovely family too. Say's he'll invite us over for a barbecue sometime, to which I said I never turn down free food!
I'm doing a lot of flaming blog writing lately aren't I! It'll probably take me a whole day to type it all up at this rate!!! (Not far wrong by the looks of things)
Oh well, anyway I'd best finish my coffee and get back down for the last couple of hours here at Grantham. I'll be home early-ish tonight, and will obviously be eating a great meal made by my sweetheart's lovely hands.
Definite potential for the scrabble board coming out I think. Got to be done.
Thank you for reading this 3 part blog. Please take care.
5th August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 10 days old).
It was a good shift. It's very rare that there is any trouble at Lincoln, but there have obviously been times, such as when those lads tried to get off with the basket of meat and I chased them up the road, where they dumped it and I brought it right back to the shop. I know, me running - shocker. I've put weight on since then I guess.
Wednesday (as I am now writing this in the book) is the Loughborough store again. My last shift here as well, as I now have my rota for the rest of my employment with this company. Next Monday is a store I don't think I've been to this year, but I'll leave that for now and no mention where it is. For now I will just carry on with this blog.
I got here to Loughborough today and was shocked to see windows missing and boarded up, with pallets on the inside. The previous night people used paving slabs to smash through the window to try and steal the perfumes, aftershaves and the likes from the entrance way cabinet. The world today hey.
I was going to bring a guitar with me today, but decided against it. Probably a good thing considering the break in last night. I thought of doing some guitar playing with Mark from Produce. If nothing else he could have videoed me trying to do the song Junk for youtube, which I actually did the record of today, although I'm not fond of my vocal on it - no change there then.
Oh, that's great. In the last couple of minutes I've been able to say goodbye to Terry & Richard from the Loughborough store, as they have both been in as customers. That's made things a lot better. Trying not to get teary - it's only a job Marv!!!
It was difficult in a way to say goodbye to Loughborough. I suppose I'm just the sort of person who gets on with people when I should probably keep more of a distance? With that in mind I'll just admit that I miss my friends Tony, Mario, the music scene, and well everyone really... Except for that one over there, he-he.
Now it's Thursday when I am writing this and, to be honest, I'm in what is probably one of my least favourite stores,which is Grantham. There's just an atmosphere to the place that I don't like. I'm not the best retail guard by any stretch of the imagination, but here they can be just bloody rude in some cases. This will be a case of good riddance, and I don't use that term lightly I'll tell you.
At last I am half way through the first subject of my other blog series on the members of The Beatles careers after the split. I'm tempted to retitle it After The Beatles, what do you think?
I have just realised that the new job I'm taking will most likely bring a lot of internet action for me. I know, as if I don't do enough on the internet already. I'll be getting a bloody clot like that guy who died from playing on the X-Box for over 12 hours each day. Condolences to his family, rest in peace.
God I am looking forward to the end of this shift. This is my seventh shift in a row and I am really shattered. The weather doesn't help with there being no air to breathe, and it is so warm. I know that it'll be worse now that I am going back to a job that is mainly nights, but that's the way things have to be really. I had to do something because the travel was driving me crazy (excuse the unintended pun).
I've just finished writing a set of lyrics for a new song I'm going to write as a potential for a female singer. Fingers crossed people. It's a love song, so that should be in it's favour.
Just chatted with my great friend Robert Sumner here at work, who lives in Grantham somewhere. That was nice, lovely family too. Say's he'll invite us over for a barbecue sometime, to which I said I never turn down free food!
I'm doing a lot of flaming blog writing lately aren't I! It'll probably take me a whole day to type it all up at this rate!!! (Not far wrong by the looks of things)
Oh well, anyway I'd best finish my coffee and get back down for the last couple of hours here at Grantham. I'll be home early-ish tonight, and will obviously be eating a great meal made by my sweetheart's lovely hands.
Definite potential for the scrabble board coming out I think. Got to be done.
Thank you for reading this 3 part blog. Please take care.
5th August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 10 days old).
Blog so long it's being split up - Part Two
Now I'm writing on a different day and it is Lincoln on a Sunday (31st). We will probably be popping in here to do our shopping occasionally when I start my new job. The staff here are lovely and friendly, and it's not that far for us to travel.
Mark is working on the fish counter at the moment, and John will be in around midday because apparently he has bad gout (sore). Good job he doesn't work with his feet though hey?
The managers I have seen today are Matt and Paul. I probably shouldn't say this but Paul's surname is Elsagood, but I secretly call him Ebeneezer for no other reason but the song "E's are good, he's Ebeneezer Good". E's a good = Elsagood, you see?
Had a little bit of a laugh with Dan on trolleys there who was jokingly sad that his "arse won't fit on the Peppa Pig ride", so I put "Damn you Peppa Pig!" as my status on Facebook, to which Kel (who works on the fish counter but was on a day off that day) put on my page - "Hello, what's your name?" and "Would you like to have a go?" This made me, Dan & Kester there laugh. Thanks Kel. If you work at most Morrison's stores or go there then you may well be familiar with the ride or something similar.
When I got home after then I did pick up the guitar and play a little. I also posted up a blog about my song Mystery, which is a lovely song I think.
Louise treated me and her to a lovely salad for dinner. We watched Dragon's Den on telly, where we both agreed that the new dragon (is her name Hilary?), is not a woman to mess with. She cuts to the chase and obviously doesn't suffer fools gladly. You could say that she is very short with people, almost rude even.
I did a lot of internet stuff, and we finished the Mail On Sunday crossword, except for one bloody answer. The clue is 1500, and the answer is two words - five letters and six letters. I still don't understand it.
Now I am writing in my book while at Loughborough on Monday, and immediately the welcome was warm (it's been a few months since I was last here). Adam said that he thought that I wouldn't be coming back because it had been so long since last time I was here, to which I joked that I was "doing a farewell tour." We thought it was funny. Adam is a nice guy, but always seems to bloody busy at work. I think he needs to follow his dreams and keep doing the music. Would love to hear some by the way.
Louise has just texted me to tell me the answer to the crossword - THREE O'CLOCK!!! Of course, how come we didn't get that? It's the 24 hour clock!
I've already written the blog for the song Junk, including the pictures, and am just trying to record the song, put it up, and then I'll make it live or "PUBLISH" as blogspot.com calls it (that's who I use to blog by the way).
I'm enjoying the music blog project, but am also warily scared of it, and of how I will do. Initially I thought of just recording the songs I liked, but then thought that covering all of them might be interesting. Interesting yes, but also bloody time consuming. I think I might have a little break after finishing the McCartney album, although I can see that alone taking a while to do.
I've enjoyed catching up with Mark O'Donoghue at Loughborough today. A nice lad, who I hope gets to join a band when he goes to uni in September.
I have met some nice people while I've been doing this job. I will miss those people, but I won't miss the amount of time spent driving, or the sat waiting in traffic. I will look forward to walking to and from work a lot of the time.
Thank you for reading, please take care. Part Three on the way soon.
5th August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, 10 days old)
Mark is working on the fish counter at the moment, and John will be in around midday because apparently he has bad gout (sore). Good job he doesn't work with his feet though hey?
The managers I have seen today are Matt and Paul. I probably shouldn't say this but Paul's surname is Elsagood, but I secretly call him Ebeneezer for no other reason but the song "E's are good, he's Ebeneezer Good". E's a good = Elsagood, you see?
Had a little bit of a laugh with Dan on trolleys there who was jokingly sad that his "arse won't fit on the Peppa Pig ride", so I put "Damn you Peppa Pig!" as my status on Facebook, to which Kel (who works on the fish counter but was on a day off that day) put on my page - "Hello, what's your name?" and "Would you like to have a go?" This made me, Dan & Kester there laugh. Thanks Kel. If you work at most Morrison's stores or go there then you may well be familiar with the ride or something similar.
When I got home after then I did pick up the guitar and play a little. I also posted up a blog about my song Mystery, which is a lovely song I think.
Louise treated me and her to a lovely salad for dinner. We watched Dragon's Den on telly, where we both agreed that the new dragon (is her name Hilary?), is not a woman to mess with. She cuts to the chase and obviously doesn't suffer fools gladly. You could say that she is very short with people, almost rude even.
I did a lot of internet stuff, and we finished the Mail On Sunday crossword, except for one bloody answer. The clue is 1500, and the answer is two words - five letters and six letters. I still don't understand it.
Now I am writing in my book while at Loughborough on Monday, and immediately the welcome was warm (it's been a few months since I was last here). Adam said that he thought that I wouldn't be coming back because it had been so long since last time I was here, to which I joked that I was "doing a farewell tour." We thought it was funny. Adam is a nice guy, but always seems to bloody busy at work. I think he needs to follow his dreams and keep doing the music. Would love to hear some by the way.
Louise has just texted me to tell me the answer to the crossword - THREE O'CLOCK!!! Of course, how come we didn't get that? It's the 24 hour clock!
I've already written the blog for the song Junk, including the pictures, and am just trying to record the song, put it up, and then I'll make it live or "PUBLISH" as blogspot.com calls it (that's who I use to blog by the way).
I'm enjoying the music blog project, but am also warily scared of it, and of how I will do. Initially I thought of just recording the songs I liked, but then thought that covering all of them might be interesting. Interesting yes, but also bloody time consuming. I think I might have a little break after finishing the McCartney album, although I can see that alone taking a while to do.
I've enjoyed catching up with Mark O'Donoghue at Loughborough today. A nice lad, who I hope gets to join a band when he goes to uni in September.
I have met some nice people while I've been doing this job. I will miss those people, but I won't miss the amount of time spent driving, or the sat waiting in traffic. I will look forward to walking to and from work a lot of the time.
Thank you for reading, please take care. Part Three on the way soon.
5th August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, 10 days old)
Blog so long it's being split up - Part One
Carrying on from my last actual rambling blog, I didn't do that much on Wednesday 27th to be honest, except for a couple of games of scrabble, which is always a good thing. I spent most of the day trying to maintain a signal strong enough to finish and publish my Ramblings and Music blogs if truth be told. I don't know about the 3 network being that good on mobile broadband, I think it stinks.
I took back Wall-E without even getting to watch it, but I will see the film one day damn it!!!
Wednesday I carried on trying to learn McCartney's song Junk for my music blog, after deciding to try the version played on the Beatles Anthology series of CD's. It is still difficult though because I find trying to learn things easier if I'm on my own somewhere, which is just not possible in a flat. That's just a fact. Practice is something where you need time alone to do it, and that means having a place where you can listen properly (rather than through headphones on a laptop), and just concentrate on that. Is this just my experience?
Thursday we had a wander around Newark, which made a really nice change. Louise hadn't really been down Barnby Gate very far, but now we went right down to Sherwood Avenue, and then back towards town along Balderton Gate.
We played a bit of scrabble as well, and we watched A Bug's Life, which I had never seen before and I loved it. Like I've said before, I love Pixar.
I also took the guitar and laptop into the bedroom and tried to put down the song Junk, having now given up on the idea of recording the Anthology version and going back to the version from the McCartney album again. I'm almost there now with the song. I can foresee myself taking the guitar with me to work a few times in my new job.
Friday 29th was a shift at Skegness, which started badly as I was told upon arrival that I wasn't allowed to use the store car park on a Friday or Saturday (just like the rest of the staff). I argued about it and, to be honest, wasn't pleased that I had to park on a side street somewhere. I'm writing this bit during that shift and am still not sure whether I'll come back for Saturday's shift or not!
I got back home Friday night and shared a couple of hours with my darling. We also played some Burnout Revenge on the PS2, but I was so beat that I was finding it hard to concentrate.
So Saturday 30th morning I got up and I thought that leaving around 11 to get to Skegness for a 1pm start would be okay. After all, AA Route Planner says one and a half hours. What could possibly go wrong?
I Should have stayed at home! Three hours and what looked like half a tank of fuel later I arrived. This is after being a little short with the person who rang at about 1.15 asking if I had arrived, how long it would be, and all of that. Already my fuel light was showing.
Thankfully I had sold my original series Star Trek DVD's (which I'll be replacing with the new set that came out) that morning to make money, so I could put £6 into the tank as well as the fuel can I keep in the boot of the car for emergencies - this was one, because I didn't want to be stuck in Skegness until payday three weeks later!
The manager of the store seemed to be pissed off that I was late, but what could I have done? If I made his money then I would probably not be so pissed off as I was. Holding my tongue was difficult, because I could easily have had a go back at him with his stupidly enormous salary, that is completely undeserved. Sod him!
I do have to say though that when I picked up the guitar on Saturday morning that I almost pulled of Junk perfectly - nearly there damn it! I've got to admit that power chord riffs are easier in a lot of ways. Some of these chords are almost killing me. I will not be beaten though.
Obviously that little bit was being written while at work on Saturday. There's something interesting about writing while the day is happening. Probably makes for a long blog though.
Thank you for reading please take care. Part 2 to this particular blog on it's way very soon.
5 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 10 days old)
I took back Wall-E without even getting to watch it, but I will see the film one day damn it!!!
Wednesday I carried on trying to learn McCartney's song Junk for my music blog, after deciding to try the version played on the Beatles Anthology series of CD's. It is still difficult though because I find trying to learn things easier if I'm on my own somewhere, which is just not possible in a flat. That's just a fact. Practice is something where you need time alone to do it, and that means having a place where you can listen properly (rather than through headphones on a laptop), and just concentrate on that. Is this just my experience?
Thursday we had a wander around Newark, which made a really nice change. Louise hadn't really been down Barnby Gate very far, but now we went right down to Sherwood Avenue, and then back towards town along Balderton Gate.
We played a bit of scrabble as well, and we watched A Bug's Life, which I had never seen before and I loved it. Like I've said before, I love Pixar.
I also took the guitar and laptop into the bedroom and tried to put down the song Junk, having now given up on the idea of recording the Anthology version and going back to the version from the McCartney album again. I'm almost there now with the song. I can foresee myself taking the guitar with me to work a few times in my new job.
Friday 29th was a shift at Skegness, which started badly as I was told upon arrival that I wasn't allowed to use the store car park on a Friday or Saturday (just like the rest of the staff). I argued about it and, to be honest, wasn't pleased that I had to park on a side street somewhere. I'm writing this bit during that shift and am still not sure whether I'll come back for Saturday's shift or not!
I got back home Friday night and shared a couple of hours with my darling. We also played some Burnout Revenge on the PS2, but I was so beat that I was finding it hard to concentrate.
So Saturday 30th morning I got up and I thought that leaving around 11 to get to Skegness for a 1pm start would be okay. After all, AA Route Planner says one and a half hours. What could possibly go wrong?
I Should have stayed at home! Three hours and what looked like half a tank of fuel later I arrived. This is after being a little short with the person who rang at about 1.15 asking if I had arrived, how long it would be, and all of that. Already my fuel light was showing.
Thankfully I had sold my original series Star Trek DVD's (which I'll be replacing with the new set that came out) that morning to make money, so I could put £6 into the tank as well as the fuel can I keep in the boot of the car for emergencies - this was one, because I didn't want to be stuck in Skegness until payday three weeks later!
The manager of the store seemed to be pissed off that I was late, but what could I have done? If I made his money then I would probably not be so pissed off as I was. Holding my tongue was difficult, because I could easily have had a go back at him with his stupidly enormous salary, that is completely undeserved. Sod him!
I do have to say though that when I picked up the guitar on Saturday morning that I almost pulled of Junk perfectly - nearly there damn it! I've got to admit that power chord riffs are easier in a lot of ways. Some of these chords are almost killing me. I will not be beaten though.
Obviously that little bit was being written while at work on Saturday. There's something interesting about writing while the day is happening. Probably makes for a long blog though.
Thank you for reading please take care. Part 2 to this particular blog on it's way very soon.
5 August 2011 (40 years, 8 months, and 10 days old)
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
A New World Order bonus song 3 - Mistakes
I wasn't sure whether or not to include the song Mistakes, because of two reasons. Number one is that it would probably work as a full produced all out rock song. Number two is the fact that it was always intended to be a demo version that I put down to work on later into a rock song. I never got back to it, and have now decided to just issue it like this on here.
I was obviously writing a lot at the time, and this was me being completely honest, although maybe exaggerated, which I call poetic licence.
"Been doing my own thing
Lived my life of sin
I know I've been bad but it was fun
Went back to smoking rock
Got my head smashed 'round the block
But then I went back & did it again."
Here I am basically saying that I have been naughty. I smoked dope a few times, got beaten up, but that was then, and I learnt from these things.
I'm not fond of all the lyrics to the chorus and would definitely change them if I were working on it again. That is the main reason for any problems I have with the song.
The actual music, chords, and feel I like very much. I like the difference between the chorus and verse music. It's got a good fast tempo to it, with a very percussive tone to the acoustic guitar.
Not a bad song, but could be better
HERE IS THE SONG!
Thank for reading, please take care.
I was obviously writing a lot at the time, and this was me being completely honest, although maybe exaggerated, which I call poetic licence.
"Been doing my own thing
Lived my life of sin
I know I've been bad but it was fun
Went back to smoking rock
Got my head smashed 'round the block
But then I went back & did it again."
Here I am basically saying that I have been naughty. I smoked dope a few times, got beaten up, but that was then, and I learnt from these things.
I'm not fond of all the lyrics to the chorus and would definitely change them if I were working on it again. That is the main reason for any problems I have with the song.
The actual music, chords, and feel I like very much. I like the difference between the chorus and verse music. It's got a good fast tempo to it, with a very percussive tone to the acoustic guitar.
Not a bad song, but could be better
HERE IS THE SONG!
Thank for reading, please take care.
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