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10 bands to do 100 songs for 100 years, that’s the stated goal. It’s been 100 years since “the old Dalmally Hoose” came into the ownership of Bert’s clan, and so they’re having a family celebration, with music, live music, live music played by a whole variety of acts. Apparently. Astute readers will notice howContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

Well I have indeed had my guitar back in my hands these last days…although hitting it with rocks doesn’t seem to produce the sounds I remember. Perhaps I’m doing it wrong? I will doubtless have the opportunity to find out tomorrow in rehersal (What song? …What key?….. Who are you again?). Impending performance (more anon)Continue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life….”

Time. Mostly this just flows by unnoticed, unremarked, with no recognition of any lessening of the tide ahead, nor any appreciation of the growing depth behind. Sometimes a major anniversary can bring a pause of reflection, sometimes a chance comment or event lends a stark focus. It’s car insurance renewal, and due to previous eyeContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

Never so apt a title as when I’m on right-through-the-night shifts, and the sun is blazing and it’s hot (in May! In Scotland!- two years ago there was still snow!*) when I’m trying to sleep. There are additional hazards; as the good weather inevitably encourages the “top down” drivers to play their music at volumeContinue reading “It’s Dog’s Life…”

Well, I waited because I was having a scan for “Retinal myopathy” (sandard check for all new Diabetes diagnoses) yesterday afternoon, and that seemed like the kind of event that would have some upset or mishap to report. In fact it went smoothly without incident, – I even (bonus result) managed to acquire a pairContinue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

Nightshift can be a surprising source of inspiration. Inevitably there are times where the burden of work dries up, and long empty hours can pass slowly, only broken by the radio, and the ocassional false emergency (taxi equivalent of a wrong number). Other times a lively conversation can spring up on unlikely topics (once –Continue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

Sometimes I get a hold of a very silly idea, and it won’t let me go; Maybe it’s a film script, maybe a book, maybe something vaguely like this really took place. Opening scene; a car parks hurriedly outside a large and brightly lit building entrance (a hospital?), It’s probably night time and definitely raining.Continue reading “It’s a Dog’s LIfe…”

Despite the incessant rain, Ben completed his 22 mile kiltwalk. Alone. Not that there were not hundreds (nae thousands) of other participants, but with neither mum nor dad able to join, and no pals in the event, I figure it would be much harder work to sustain resolve without someone to jolly you along, orContinue reading “It’s a Dogs Life…”

I join the queue with my single item – but, as the shopper in front of me is all but checked out with her overflowing trolley, there should be no real delay… “That’ll be £101.40 please” – ” Oh! that’s too much. I don’t have enough to cover that. I’ll have to transfer some money.”Continue reading “It’s a Dog’s Life…”

I was asked (or invited, might be better) to assist with the building of a Yurt. It was actually more of a rebuilding. I had visited it, in a previous construction, but it came to grief in some extreme weather, and has been waiting months for a replacement part to arrive from Mongolia (I jestContinue reading “It’s a Dogs Life…”