My Current Obsession
I am working hard on this novel writing idea - as a result - (added to the fact that I have met so many of my old freinds over on MySpace), I am unlikely to update this Blog on a regular basis.
The novel currently stands at just over 4,500 words - So, a long way to go yet. But, it's taking shape, gradually.
I've enjoyed meeting everyone that I have here, and will of course make regularish visits to read through soem of the updates.
all the best to all
Jayster
Friday, January 27, 2006
Friday, January 20, 2006
Soul Legend passes away!
Music
I just read today that Soul legend Wilson Picket passed away - Very sad news indeed. He was probably one of the Soul names that EVERYBODY knows - whether into 60's music or not. - so close on the heels of Lou Rawls too!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4630184.stm
I just read today that Soul legend Wilson Picket passed away - Very sad news indeed. He was probably one of the Soul names that EVERYBODY knows - whether into 60's music or not. - so close on the heels of Lou Rawls too!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4630184.stm
Friday, January 13, 2006
The Novel - The Soulville Project - and continuation of NY Resolutions.
Today’s post is going to be brief. Busy at work –with work….. also my other projects are blossoming, and starting to become time consuming.
1 – The Novel – I have now put over 2,000 words together, and although it is still mostly a load of old rubbish, it is starting to take shape.. Still a shed load of work to do, so don’t anybody hold their breath!
2 – Soulville – I have just received the first completed questionnaire, and although the responses do not help me in my original pursuit of knowledge regarding my own record collection – (a small and insignificant project, I think you’ll agree) – it has opened my eyes to a much wider issue. That being the interest and appreciation of music as a whole by the population from every genre, by a diverse audience from the youth of today, through to older, dedicated music specialists…… I haven’t explained that very well at all. Mainly because I am still thinking about it as I write, and the thoughts are spilling out onto the keyboard.
For the project to meet it’s criteria, I am going to have to enlist the aid of one or more National magazines, but more than that I cannot say at this stage – as and when anything progresses on this, I will of course post details.
I once had a dream about launching a record company…. I’ve done that – Then I had a dream about running a successful magazine, which I also achieved – THIS is my new dream – (that and the novel of course) – Both of which will be brought into reality in the fullness of time
Still clean shaven……So that part of my New Years Resoltion is still intact – ALSO – I have not bought nay new records. The Howard Peters single arrived safe and sound from Dubai today, and I’m still waiting for a single to arrive from America, which I actually bought in the summer last year – but events intervened to slow everything down – All’s going well though. Once that materializes – That Is It…..!!!!
1 – The Novel – I have now put over 2,000 words together, and although it is still mostly a load of old rubbish, it is starting to take shape.. Still a shed load of work to do, so don’t anybody hold their breath!
2 – Soulville – I have just received the first completed questionnaire, and although the responses do not help me in my original pursuit of knowledge regarding my own record collection – (a small and insignificant project, I think you’ll agree) – it has opened my eyes to a much wider issue. That being the interest and appreciation of music as a whole by the population from every genre, by a diverse audience from the youth of today, through to older, dedicated music specialists…… I haven’t explained that very well at all. Mainly because I am still thinking about it as I write, and the thoughts are spilling out onto the keyboard.
For the project to meet it’s criteria, I am going to have to enlist the aid of one or more National magazines, but more than that I cannot say at this stage – as and when anything progresses on this, I will of course post details.
I once had a dream about launching a record company…. I’ve done that – Then I had a dream about running a successful magazine, which I also achieved – THIS is my new dream – (that and the novel of course) – Both of which will be brought into reality in the fullness of time
Still clean shaven……So that part of my New Years Resoltion is still intact – ALSO – I have not bought nay new records. The Howard Peters single arrived safe and sound from Dubai today, and I’m still waiting for a single to arrive from America, which I actually bought in the summer last year – but events intervened to slow everything down – All’s going well though. Once that materializes – That Is It…..!!!!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Technology SO simple - A Two year old could use it!
The Daily Grind
Well – that’s all good and well, but is it something we really want?
We have just bought a new washing machine -I’m not going into all the ins and outs of that story, it’s already well documented over the past 3 months, being involved with the flooded kitchen floor and so forth! If you’ve been a regular reader of this Blog, you already know the background. Anyway, we have this new washing machine, and it’s wonderful. Things that I never thought would be clean again are indeed clean again!!!! – And it has technology so simple that even a two year old can use it. This is indeed true, as our ‘not quite’ two year old has proven on more than one occasion……. But is this simple technology something we really want? – It’s all very well, him being able to twiddle the knobs and turn it on, set the wash cycle, alter the heat settings and select whether the load consists of ultra dirty hard wearing denim, or very delicate woollens – (Even apparently mid cycle!). Now, that’s all good and well, but let’s be honest. How many 2 year olds do you know that really know that you should separate red underwear from white shirts. That mohair jumpers do not go in the same load as greasy, oil stained jeans, or even know that you can’t substitute Persil washing Powder for Ready Brek? – Not many would be my guess – so perhaps the next leap forward in technology should be - Technology so advanced, a Two year old CAN’T use it!
On a completley different subject, I started to write the book last night. I managed a good 1,000 words - All of which are shit.....Well, actually, the words themselves are OK, it's the way I've thrown them all together that needs work!
Well – that’s all good and well, but is it something we really want?
We have just bought a new washing machine -I’m not going into all the ins and outs of that story, it’s already well documented over the past 3 months, being involved with the flooded kitchen floor and so forth! If you’ve been a regular reader of this Blog, you already know the background. Anyway, we have this new washing machine, and it’s wonderful. Things that I never thought would be clean again are indeed clean again!!!! – And it has technology so simple that even a two year old can use it. This is indeed true, as our ‘not quite’ two year old has proven on more than one occasion……. But is this simple technology something we really want? – It’s all very well, him being able to twiddle the knobs and turn it on, set the wash cycle, alter the heat settings and select whether the load consists of ultra dirty hard wearing denim, or very delicate woollens – (Even apparently mid cycle!). Now, that’s all good and well, but let’s be honest. How many 2 year olds do you know that really know that you should separate red underwear from white shirts. That mohair jumpers do not go in the same load as greasy, oil stained jeans, or even know that you can’t substitute Persil washing Powder for Ready Brek? – Not many would be my guess – so perhaps the next leap forward in technology should be - Technology so advanced, a Two year old CAN’T use it!
On a completley different subject, I started to write the book last night. I managed a good 1,000 words - All of which are shit.....Well, actually, the words themselves are OK, it's the way I've thrown them all together that needs work!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
New Years Resolutions
Thought For The Day
1 – Try to stay clean shaven
2 – Cut down on record buying
3 – Write a short story or start a novel
4 – Be more tidy at home and at work
So I can’t stop smoking or drinking really, as I don’t do either…. OK so I drink a little, but hardly enough to make it a worthwhile resolution!. The resolutions I’m attempting are all going to be pretty hard for me to keep, but I will try. The idea of writing something is coming on stronger at the moment.
Last night I was unable to sleep until the early hours, due to the fact that words, paragraphs, even whole chapters were coming into my head, then drifting away to burst like soap bubbles in a spectactular flurry of nothingness. If only I had some sort of device that I could connect up to my head so that I could dictate my thoughts into a word document instead of writing, or even dictating. I lie in bed and everything comes together in a form that (at least ) I think is a perfectly worded storyline. My style of writing is much like my style of talking – some people like that, some don’t. I’ve certainly read books, proper published books that are more sloppily written – so we’ll see.
2- Record buying. OK, now here’s a toughie! – I am a true addict, and perhaps by admitting that then I’m halfway through the problem, even as I write this. I’m writing out a cheque for £25 for a record that I said I would buy before Christmas – (It’s OK, I haven’t welched on a deal. – I did say from the outset that I could not pay for it until after Christmas.) – BUT, I’m going to try to make that the last one for a while
IN OTHER NEWS
I need to change some of my BLOG. I’m no longer keeping the MOTORCYCLE DIARY, as I have sold the last of my ‘good’ bikes, and only have an old Honda 125 to get rid of now. I’m unlikely to do anything with regards to an ART PROJECT, unless I do manage to start writing more than a BLOG. I'm sure there are other changes as well - It is bound to evolve during the coming year. Perhaps if I'm giving up the record buying I can dedicate more time to the Blog and to MySpace. - We'll see.
1 – Try to stay clean shaven
2 – Cut down on record buying
3 – Write a short story or start a novel
4 – Be more tidy at home and at work
So I can’t stop smoking or drinking really, as I don’t do either…. OK so I drink a little, but hardly enough to make it a worthwhile resolution!. The resolutions I’m attempting are all going to be pretty hard for me to keep, but I will try. The idea of writing something is coming on stronger at the moment.
Last night I was unable to sleep until the early hours, due to the fact that words, paragraphs, even whole chapters were coming into my head, then drifting away to burst like soap bubbles in a spectactular flurry of nothingness. If only I had some sort of device that I could connect up to my head so that I could dictate my thoughts into a word document instead of writing, or even dictating. I lie in bed and everything comes together in a form that (at least ) I think is a perfectly worded storyline. My style of writing is much like my style of talking – some people like that, some don’t. I’ve certainly read books, proper published books that are more sloppily written – so we’ll see.
2- Record buying. OK, now here’s a toughie! – I am a true addict, and perhaps by admitting that then I’m halfway through the problem, even as I write this. I’m writing out a cheque for £25 for a record that I said I would buy before Christmas – (It’s OK, I haven’t welched on a deal. – I did say from the outset that I could not pay for it until after Christmas.) – BUT, I’m going to try to make that the last one for a while
IN OTHER NEWS
I need to change some of my BLOG. I’m no longer keeping the MOTORCYCLE DIARY, as I have sold the last of my ‘good’ bikes, and only have an old Honda 125 to get rid of now. I’m unlikely to do anything with regards to an ART PROJECT, unless I do manage to start writing more than a BLOG. I'm sure there are other changes as well - It is bound to evolve during the coming year. Perhaps if I'm giving up the record buying I can dedicate more time to the Blog and to MySpace. - We'll see.
Merry Christmas and Thank-you ARGOS very f***ing much!
Christmas Day was going well. First thing in the morning (read this as about 6.00am, so we had a bit of a lie in!) The boys came in with their stockings to open the presents that Santa brought. Then, downstairs to open a few of the other presents from relatives, breakfast and so forth. So far everything is going fine – Even up to the point where the boys were just starting to get agitated about opening the rest of their presents, when lo and behold Grandma and Grandad arrive. Next it’s Christmas Dinner, and Mrs Jayster had done a wonderful job. The beef and vegetables were perfect, and even though, being a vegetarian, she wasn’t able to sample it herself, it was all done to perfection – Then we could all go and open the rest of the presents – adults and children alike.
Now, at this point I have to back track in time a little – Mrs Jayster wanted a new wedding ring for Christmas. Not an expensive ring, nothing grand, just a simple band to replace the original one which unfortunately had some sort of chemical reaction to her finger which swelled and hurt - so she couldn’t wear it much. The ring she wanted was in Argos, she had seen it, been in, tried it on and had the size written down. All Jayster has to do, is go in, tell them what he wants, pay for it and pick it up. Simple! Everything went OK – OH, except that the store I drove to didn’t have the right size in stock, and wouldn’t have one until after Christmas. However, help was at hand, the store in the town centre did have one, and they would put it on reserve for me. I ran out of time that lunchtime though, so would have to get on the bus the next lunchtime to pick it up – No problem. Next day was a bit of a rush, and I only had enough time to dash down to the store, grab the ring, and get back on the last bus to work – PHEW, now that’s a relief. The main present is sorted.
Now, I reisted the urge to look at the ring. I thought it would be a nice surprise for me on Christmas day to see it fresh out of the box. Perhaps, in retrospect, that was not such a bright notion. I carefully wrapped it in a plastic bag from a different shop, hid it inside an oven glove to disguise it, then wrapped it in pretty Christmas paper. Of course Mrs Jayster knew what it was straight away and left it till last. Then opened it to find………Nothing! - - that’s right, nothing. Nothing but an empty ring box. Of course she was quite understandably very, very upset. Almost in tears. I was also pretty damned upset.. I was sure I hadn’t taken it out. But then maybe I had, and put it somewhere else –I couldn’t think where though, and certainly didn’t remember actually seeing the ring in the flesh as it were. Now I’m in a bit of a flat spin, I thought that Mummy and oldest son were playing a trick on me, having hidden the ring, but no, it really was not there. OK – I can’t do anything about it now, and the rest of Christmas day was a little shall we say chillier than the morning! As was Boxing Day. – You see the problem is this. How do you take back something you haven’t actually got? – Fine, Argos have a very consumer friendly policy with regards to returns. If it’s faulty, unsuitable, broken, scratched etc. they will change it, no questions asked – BUT, can that really stretch to taking back an empty box? – Especially since I couldn’t find the receipt either – (that eventually turned up).
Day after Boxing Day, I phoned the store, to see if by some miraculous turn of events the ring I had bought was still on the shelf – it was a long shot, but it was all I could think of. They would look into it for me, and get back to me the next day. I heard nothing for a couple of days, and thought the worst. Mrs Jayster was still upset, but would not let me just buy another ring. Then we got the call – GOOD NEWS, they were very sorry, but it was a mistake – I had indeed been given the wrong box, and if I would just go into the store I could collect the ring. I was very happy with this result, and collected the ring yesterday…. However, it does still annoy me a little that I wasn’t offered anything by way of compensation for what ultimately put a big downer on this years Christmas!
Now, at this point I have to back track in time a little – Mrs Jayster wanted a new wedding ring for Christmas. Not an expensive ring, nothing grand, just a simple band to replace the original one which unfortunately had some sort of chemical reaction to her finger which swelled and hurt - so she couldn’t wear it much. The ring she wanted was in Argos, she had seen it, been in, tried it on and had the size written down. All Jayster has to do, is go in, tell them what he wants, pay for it and pick it up. Simple! Everything went OK – OH, except that the store I drove to didn’t have the right size in stock, and wouldn’t have one until after Christmas. However, help was at hand, the store in the town centre did have one, and they would put it on reserve for me. I ran out of time that lunchtime though, so would have to get on the bus the next lunchtime to pick it up – No problem. Next day was a bit of a rush, and I only had enough time to dash down to the store, grab the ring, and get back on the last bus to work – PHEW, now that’s a relief. The main present is sorted.
Now, I reisted the urge to look at the ring. I thought it would be a nice surprise for me on Christmas day to see it fresh out of the box. Perhaps, in retrospect, that was not such a bright notion. I carefully wrapped it in a plastic bag from a different shop, hid it inside an oven glove to disguise it, then wrapped it in pretty Christmas paper. Of course Mrs Jayster knew what it was straight away and left it till last. Then opened it to find………Nothing! - - that’s right, nothing. Nothing but an empty ring box. Of course she was quite understandably very, very upset. Almost in tears. I was also pretty damned upset.. I was sure I hadn’t taken it out. But then maybe I had, and put it somewhere else –I couldn’t think where though, and certainly didn’t remember actually seeing the ring in the flesh as it were. Now I’m in a bit of a flat spin, I thought that Mummy and oldest son were playing a trick on me, having hidden the ring, but no, it really was not there. OK – I can’t do anything about it now, and the rest of Christmas day was a little shall we say chillier than the morning! As was Boxing Day. – You see the problem is this. How do you take back something you haven’t actually got? – Fine, Argos have a very consumer friendly policy with regards to returns. If it’s faulty, unsuitable, broken, scratched etc. they will change it, no questions asked – BUT, can that really stretch to taking back an empty box? – Especially since I couldn’t find the receipt either – (that eventually turned up).
Day after Boxing Day, I phoned the store, to see if by some miraculous turn of events the ring I had bought was still on the shelf – it was a long shot, but it was all I could think of. They would look into it for me, and get back to me the next day. I heard nothing for a couple of days, and thought the worst. Mrs Jayster was still upset, but would not let me just buy another ring. Then we got the call – GOOD NEWS, they were very sorry, but it was a mistake – I had indeed been given the wrong box, and if I would just go into the store I could collect the ring. I was very happy with this result, and collected the ring yesterday…. However, it does still annoy me a little that I wasn’t offered anything by way of compensation for what ultimately put a big downer on this years Christmas!
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