Cogitated & Digested

Nigeria group keen on Magpies bid

Do you think, in one of those moments of role-reversal, Mike Ashley has been sending out spam messages with bank account numbers on?

The latest state-of-the-art equipment might suddenly be made available to you, which is likely to make life easier and more interesting. It could also open up doors for you to make new friends and find new opportunities. An increased income is also a possibility.

You could stumble upon some surprising information, dear Leo, and this could set your mind going in a new direction. Today promises a lot of stimulation. Go for it!

Well, partially. I have finally got someone to both come round and give me a quote. So on Monday I shall have a shiny boiler 38 days after the initial one decided to try and burst into flames.

New friends and new opportunities? Well - I shall now have heating and a shower. If I have friends that are impressed by running hot water they'd be easy friends to please!

Increased income - rent-a-shower?

Hmmm.

What was that all about?

Drunk MSN convo with Sand (him - not me)

In a hotel room in Northampton. Where if I recall rightly he was last flirty with me - and similarly tipsy.

I didn't understand. And I didn't bite back.

So who is the more impenetrable, obtuse and mixed signaler?

I think it's a close call...

Mr Insomnia came to visit again. He's still here although I tried to dispatch him with some toasted fruit bread, Applewood and a cup of Earl Grey Tea.

He's beginning to get the message.

He often comes after a holiday, like I've had. He also comes when I have things on my mind - as is his propensity.

I've tried to banish those to my Unsent post which continues to be a work in progress. Committing things to pixels can be hard.

In writing it I've discovered the MSN history goes way back further than I thought. I've been good though and only looked at the one conversation I wanted to find.

It's interesting how our conversations have changed over time. We seem to be able to talk about less and less. I think we're protecting each other. It reminds me a bit of the book Ella Minnow Pea which you must read if you love language.

Friday October 3rd is the date. It must happen then. If he withdraws from that evening out I really will not know how to play it.

Actually I do.

It will be a letter and me closing the door forever on him.

(NB. Last two paragraphs could be 02:49 talk and are not binding. Your statutory rights are not affected.)

Maybe it was the fact that I had by now recovered from my night shifts, maybe the seats, maybe the crowd but tonight really blew me away. For a start there wasn't the Visions problem from Birmingham. Which allowed for more of his songs. There was a real connection between Stevie and the crowd - although possibly the whole audience participation was a tad overdone (though to very funny effect as someone shouted "TURN IT UP!" in the midst of I Called To Say I Love You.

I sang, I danced, I felt free.

I engaged in banter with the backing singers. We had a dance off.

And you know? If I'd gone with someone else I
a) would not have got front row seats
b) actually would have been a bit more inhibited and wouldn't have done half the things that I did re: sing, dance and interact with the backing singers (who were ten feet in front of me)

Ten out of Ten.

Setlist here

It’s been a wee while since Stevie Wonder last hit these shores to do a full tour. I’ve always been keen to see him. Very keen. I remember seeing some of his performances on the West German music programme Beatclub and being mesmerised by them. Having said that I wasn’t overly keen on his Natural Wonder album – as notoriously difficult as live albums can be. I signed up for two gigs and through gifts from friends are seeing two more in October. Lucky me

So which Stevie would turn up?

The lights dimmed, some beatboxing and percussion filled the air and in came Stevie flanked with his backing singers to the cheers of the crowd. The harmonica came out, that incredible voice filled the air and the keys were tapped with aplomb.

The night was a hit-filled affair with an excellent choice of covers – a really atmospheric People Make the World Go Round made famous by The Stylistics, Spain by Chick Corea really showed off the band to its best.

The only really dampener on the night was an unnecessarily prolonged appearance by a chap talking about Arthur Wharton (the first black professional footballer in Britain). Though to be fair if I was on stage with Stevie I’d do the same.

However things got back on a more than even keel with the hit-list going through his major works of the sixties and seventies.

I think everyone has their favourite album tracks that they’d like to hear and I wait with bated breath to see if they appear. In the meantime I’m happy he does “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” which is pretty much my all time favourite.

All in all – eight out of ten for this evening.

Setlist available here

At the moment I'm thinking of what would be in another lifetime, another set of circumstance where you SO would and be happy ever after :-)

In the meantime I'm content with my little trip and evening out. Although my mind turns to Sand and the inevitable.

How bizarre that you can feel so content in oneself and so in need of someone at the same time.

Maybe it is just the three Erdinger's and irish coffee talking...

I yearn for Oct 3rd, Stevie part 3, old friends and a whole night with Sand, showing my vivacity yet my complete dedication to a common goal...

I'm on my hols for a fortnight. Entering week two now which is my designated "catch up" week. So - sorting the washing machine and boiler out. Paperwork. Tidying. Putting up a utensil-rack in the kitchen.

Somehow I've managed to arrange to meet three friends in three towns over the next four days.

Looks like that's out the window!

The washing machine will get sorted. Though I may have to give in and call someone in

Coming soon: the Stevie Wonder review and the unsent letter...

Erykah Badu - Otherside of The Game

vs

Stunning, I think.

As well as the boiler the washing machine is looking a bit terminal. Inspired by my father who often managed to fix the washing machine when I was younger I've tried to fix it myself.

It's been a bit of a trek but I'm getting there - and really informative. I've enjoyed getting to learn about how it works and trying to fix it. The joys of tinkering.

A great website is: http://www.washerhelp.co.uk. From there I've found my pump is likely blocked. And it is making a strange noise.

My pliers have gone walkies so I need to get some new ones to access the system fully as I can't find a blockage anywhere else.

And I've also found that you need to do a maintenance wash at 90ºC to service washing machines fully, otherwise they clog.

So there you go!

PS: still no movement on the boiler - three weeks this friday it went

Not so hacked off tonight. The irritation has gone to reveal a heavy heart.  I actual have the time tonight to take some time out and talk but my mobile has run out of battery and I have left my charger at home.

Damn.

So I'm here. More awake than I have all week, longing for the company of others. And one in particular. The thwarting of any resolution that could have been possible in the mid-end of last month still frustrates. Making the decision to do it was good, but once I decide to do something I like to follow it through. I want to do it but circumstances mean it is not possible at present. Circumstances that bizarrely reinforce that we have the makings of something.

My lodger gave me some advice about the situation which I followed for a bit. I came to realise it was advice that would be fine at the start of something but we are far from that.

And yet things are and have been overcomplicated. The base is that I like him and he likes me. The rest is just possibilities, fear and supposition.

So surely it is simple?

Or who am I kidding?

intransitive verb:
1. To look or stare angrily or with a scowl.

noun:
1. An angry or scowling look or stare.

 

Glower is from Middle English gloren, perhaps ultimately of Scandinavian origin.

---

Fifth of seven last night. The nadir when you are tired and this week cold and wet. Hankering for home comforts like your own shower and washing machine. When you long to talk to someone who isn't a work colleague - as nice as a lot of them are.

I did a bit of glowering on the way back home. Even now I drive more it still infuriates me when people don't indicate.

And my Yahoo horoscope for today (which as I've mentioned before I'm not particularly into horoscopes though this one does appear to have a spooky resonance).

You're entering a period filled with doubt, especially where your love life is concerned. In general, you like your feelings to be clear and your relationships, too. But you may be doing a lot of thinking about your relationships over the next few days. Are you sure you have chosen the right person for you? Are his feelings for you as sincere as he claims? Could you live without him? The next two months will bring you the answers to these questions. But don't forget, no one is perfect...

 Two months!?!?!? I know I am a founding father of patience (honestly) but there comes a time and a point.

Shall I do a Dave Gorman?

Film trailer voice-over king dies

I always wondered who this guy was and if he used the same intonation and delivery when doing the mundane.

Rest-in-peace Don LaFontaine.