Velutinous leporine meanderings

My computer has just been attacked by a really nasty piece of work called 'Antivirus Live'. Was a bastard to get off and hijacks the machine completely displaying a load of false error messages and porn sites in an effort to get you to buy their 'antivirus software' so that they can scam your credit card.

BASTARDS. That's a whole eveing I won't get back. I hope they rot.

I discover that I haven't posted for ages. That seems to be the way of these things though and I often wonder whether I an losing the desire or need to share the minutiae of my life - but anyway...

( It's a long 'un... )

Right - that'll do for now. More later.

The Nuff-monster is back. Apparently she spent the last few hours registering her displeasure with all the staff at the emergency vets!

Much more her old self. Has wolfed down half a tin of tuna and is generally arsey with the world.

Hooray!

I know it's been an bit 'tumbleweeds' in here recently. People who know what's being going on in my head don't need an explaination.

Anyway...Bremen. The band is back from another German triumph. I'm thoroughly stoked. It was the best experience and the comments and compliments have really gioven me a boost. Although comparisons between the 'scene' in Britain and the 'scene' in Germany would honestly depress anyone!!

I was back to mjy very organised self and had everything done and dusted before we left so I was quite chilled. We left from platform 13 at Bristol Temple Meads - obviously a good omen - and everything was going splendidly until we got on the train to Stansted Mountfitchet instead of Stanstead Airport. I had kittens - but fortunately we were able to change at Tottenham Hale and get on the right train. Usual trouble at check in where they wanted to go through the leads bag and the drum pedals left us with very little time and the flight was already showing 'final call' when we cleared check in. So something of a breathless (well I was!!) dash across the airport to make the flight. As a side note I was well impressed with my fitness levels. OK I was out of breath but so was everyone else!! Couldn't have done that a couple of years ago!

All settled down once we were on the plane. Turns out that the daughter is not a comfortable flyer (it was her first flight) - but it was a bit of a rough one and the landing was horrible. Still we made it OK and our hosts Marco and Kira were waiting for us at the airport. Talk about welcoming!! They whisked us off to Marco's flat, gave us tea and coffee and then took us first for pizza and then to a metal bar - the Furchtbar (good pun).

It was pretty damn good. The place is done out with coffins for tables, with bats everywhere and lighted candles (the Germans haven't heard of health and safety and it's great). We had a top evening but German law allows smoking in bars after midnight and I soon realised how much I haven't missed the sore throats and smokey smell! Marco gave me, Dave, Kat and Ant his flat for the night and Rob and Chris stayed with Kira. Passed a very comfortable night indeed.

Breakfast was typical German fare - bread, cheese, meat and (much to Kat's delight) Nutella. Much coffee, much breakfast!

While Marco went off to sort out the gig, Kira took us around Bremen. Think a very much larger, cleaner version of Bristol! Just before going to sleep I had realised that I'd left my foundation at home. Arghh - gig day with no MAC NC15. How would I cope. I needn't have worried. Bremen has Lush!!!! and a very small MAC counter in one of their department stores that has only just opened. I was in heaven (but style black is sold out there too!) and I got foundation for the gig!

Bremen has trams everywhere! They come clanking along streets that in the UK would be purely pedestrianised. I bet it makes shopping in the centre a blast!

There was a market in full swing with loads of the stall holders in medieval dress. We learned the story of the 4 musicians of Bremen and rubbed the donkey's legs for good luck (it's a statue for the less clean minded among you). This caused a deal of hilarity. I tried loads of stuff to eat and drink as usual - including a blue wine called 'Witches Bile' which tasted loads better than it sounds! We went around the beautiful cathedral and the bells where so lovely that I have recorded a piece of inspiration for later use. We also saw the bells which play in the very old part of the city. There are 30 bells hung up high between the buildings which play tunes as part of a revolving tower shows pieces from the cities history. It was all so lovely that I think I've left a bit of me behind. For lunch we had 'Kartoffelpuffe' (potato puff) - which is grated potato fried in batter. Bloody lovely. I also ate a great many sugar roasted almonds!! Once again I was being led around by my stomach!!

I got a bit of a kip in the afternoon and at 4:00 we left for the venue - which is on a huge industrial estate. Amazing place. There was a green room and everything but the really big downside was that everyone was smoking in there. I've still got a sore throat - I guess I'm just not used to it anymore! On the other hand I did discover the medicinal value of Jaegermeister! They had no JD but JM will do just as well!! They even provided me with pineapple juice!

Sound check was really smooth - the sound guy really knows his business - and we settled in for a really long wait. We were due to take the stage at 11:30 so we had time to eat, chill, change, paint etc etc. Chris and Rob did the 'day of the dead' skull look whilst I made a passable attempt to re-create the look the MAC guys did for me. Pretty successful too - and it stayed put all night! The embroidered shirts went down a storm. I was really pleased with the effect.

Then it was time to go and play. Oh Gods, playing in Germany is such a joy. The audience was keen and enthusiastic and danced right from the start. It's so easy to play to a crowd that wants to hear you and I loved every minute. My voice was on form and it was a treat to play for these people. In fact, the whole band rocked. Worked our hearts out for them and it was so worth it.

I acquired a heckler. He said a great many 'amusing' things but when he said I didn't look bad for 68 I told him (good naturedly) that I would rememeber his face and would see him afterwards. After the next song I took a mouthful of pineapple juice. 'Ah', he shouted, 'you swallow'. 'Yep', I said, quick as a flash, 'and you suck!' Brought the house down!!

Afterwards I had so many wonderful comments and compliments - the Germans understand a deeper voice on a woman and were very nice to me! I could stand a great deal of that!!!!

After the gig they made sure that we were so well looked after and we had a most amazing night. I discovered a German LARPer who has invited us over for their next Vampire event! All in all a very wonderful evening. By the time we came to leave the venue at 5:00am to go to the airport the world had taken on that slightly surreal quality you get from being up all night but I was still to 'up' to care! The flight back was unpleasant for Kat and even more unpleasant for poor Ant but we made it back to the UK in one piece. Then bus to Liverpool Street, a bit of a scramble round the tube (most of it was shut for engineering works) to Paddington where Chris treated us to Burger King breakfast. Then onto the train home. Taxi back to base and SLEEEEEEEP!

Today has been catching up, shopping and washing everything that smells of smoke! Tonight I am off to play recorders for the All Souls service at Holy Trininty Kingswood.

I am truely blessed.

A really big Happy Birthday to my wonderful Husband!!

Love you loads!!

A great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend girfan!!

Hope you have a really good time - you deserve it!

Birthday update in a minute. But first auriol gave me 5 words...

Fragrant - I guess having spent a lot of time looking into incense and the materials involved I'm very aware how important the sense of smell is. I never wore perfume until I discovered that cheap perfume always smells like cat pee on me and I either have to use very expensive ones or BPAL! My favourites are Chanel No 5 and Coco and my favourite BPALs are Darkness and Whitechapel.

Folk - I've taken this to mean folk music, which is where I find myself at most events. I love the idea of just making music for the hell of it (rather than in some kind of formal way) and the idea that some of this music represents the thoughts and feelings of ordinary people is fantastic.

Friendship - something I have come to value more and more as the years go by. Learning to tell your true friends from the others is a hard lesson - but once learned the people you do value are very important indeed.

Flesh - aaarrgh! What? Eeeeew! Sensible answers elude me!!!

Fiery - What I'm supposed to be. Born on the middle day of Leo and all that! Actually I'm not at all hot-headed and TBH I've only lost my temper properly 3 or 4 times in my life. However I'm not to be crossed, do not suffer fools at all and am very, very passionate!

Thoughts, definitely not plans!

It started with me wondering how may people are in the same situation as me. I am having singing lessons and in the course of a year I learn many lovely pieces. Now I love singing solo, but in the choirs I sing with, either the soloists are already chosen (and cast in stone, I may add) or I'm consigned to the comedy numbers and my classical efforts never see the light of day.

I've also started to wonder how many other 'adult learners' are in the same boat? Singers consigned to the chorus, 'cellists at the back of the orchestra etc. Or of course, those people who are learning for the sheer hell of it who are missing out an important part of the experience of music - that of performance.

I further wonder if there would be anyone who would be interested in maybe one or two concerts a year, for charity, only for soloists where those of us - instrumentalists and singers - who don't get a chance to perform solo could do so.

It wouldn't take a lot of organising and rehearsals are a personal thing so there wouldn't be a need for rehearsal space or a weekly get-together, except maybe for a couple of run throughs with an accompanist to get people sorted out and check the length of the program.

...and there's the added bonus that with a number of performers bringing friends and family we might end up with a reasonable sized audience.

I'm thinking strictly classical music - so would anyone I know want to pop in and see a friend perform?

Wouldn't even have to be on a weekend - could be a sort of local, mid-week thing.

Thoughts?