Curinating

It’s been a while.

Honestly, I haven’t felt like there’s much to write about on a blog recently. The last year has been busy, and while good, there have been things I needed to deal with more urgently than composing and delivering blog content.

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2017 in review

It’s only a couple of weeks old, so it’s probably harsh to try reviewing 2017 already, but I know there are a couple of things coming up I wanted to muse on, so here goes.

[tl:dr Reflections on stuff that’s coming up, a couple of name drops and a quick delve through recent events. Normal service continues sometime soonish.]

Chip off the old block

This evening the Doorknobs played another charitable gig in aid of the Aldridge Church Centre building fund, and St James’ Church Mere Green.

My role in these affairs is basically to sit at the back of the band on piano, fulfilling the time-honoured position of chord monkey (assistant chord monkey if a guitarist is present) and filling in with blistering improvisation if there are gaps to fill.

No Dice – a whole new game

For the last couple of years I’ve had an idea rolling around my head based on developing dominoes and adding elements from card games my brothers and I played when we were young(er). It’s essentially a three part domino design on hexagonal cards and a variety of matching rules to score points each turn. I found a supplier who prints custom decks and ordered one to play around with.

Jimm, Chris, Mike and Scott giving their seal of approval. MNA Gaming Store in Walsall.

A week of achievements

In the last ten days, I’ve had a run of extremely positive moments. Since this blog exists partly to document my ego, I thought I’d pull them together and see what they all looked like in order. It started on Saturday July 4th…

tl:dr I did lots of brilliant stuff. Aren’t I epic?

Squeaking your Language

I survived panto. It’s behind me.

Finnish on a song

I’m in Panto. Oh yes I am.

The rather wonderful Cart Before the Horse crew are staging “Soup from a Sausage Skewer” at the Bookmark Theatre in Bloxwich this Sunday. Our first performances were last weekend and we have two left to come.

Songs of Rest

Tonight I had the best fun you can have with a trombone. I made music! Technically, since it was with an orchestra, it was the second best fun you can have with a trombone. The best thing you can do with a trombone for fun is this.

Loitering within Tent

Today I had the most tremendous fun playing Blues with Dischord, at the Whittington Country Fair.

We delivered three sets across the afternoon and were lucky enough to see a few friends in the crowds of visitors enjoying the late Summer sun with this “traditional” country fair.

The ferret wrangler was most amusing, and the classic cars glinted in the afternoon sun when the cloud briefly dispersed. There was food, beer, craft, local interest groups, and even a miniature steam traction engine.

Many thanks to John for inviting us, and to Nigel who joined us on sax for the occasion.

The Albatross in the Driveway

I’m haunted. I’m haunted by the cars I have lost.

Well, nearly. I’m no longer in a position to maintain my car. It’s a lovely beast, but no longer fit for purpose.