Hi everyone, it's been a long time since we were together but here I am back again with loads to share. Strap in.
Since my last entry I've been on a short break, rode far too many times up the same hill, planted more succulents, and finished writing a new song.
Slim Dusty - Looking Forward, Looking Back - https://youtu.be/AkM4BqWdXHI
Let's talk about holidays. I am not good at taking them, not good at all. A little while ago it became clear to me that I needed some time away from work and my regular life. Nothing bad had happened, I was simply worn out. So I booked myself three nights away at Malua Bay which is on the south coast of NSW only a couple of hours away. Three days and four nights away taught me a lot about myself. I'd aimed to do as little as possible other than reading, walking and playing my guitar but it didn't really work. I needed more to do. I'd not taken my bike on purpose as the roads down there aren't great but I missed it or at least the time spent on it. Next time I go anywhere I'll have some more activities organised as well as maybe some people to catch up with.
In the last episode I'd just ticked over 40 reps of Black Mountain on my bike. The challenge (self-imposed) has continued. Including a big day a couple of weeks ago of 10 climbs, I'm now up to 100 since October 1. My goal is 120 (three times Mt Everest) by the end of the year. After I hit 120 I'm not sure what I'll do. Maybe a nap is in order.
Bon Jovi - I'll Sleep When I'm Dead - https://youtu.be/ts-e0uZfooQ
My Dad has just been to visit. It was a lot of fun having him here and Canberra's various cafes got a good workout! There were a lot of highlights for me over an extended weekend but attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial was very special. It was special even when I worked there and went to the ceremony every day but attending with a family member is next level. My former colleagues looked after us so well and that was the icing on the cake.
On Sunday my mate Bing has a gig here in Canberra with his band, Murrigeejar Mob. Details are here. It's a bit of a warm up show for a big one happening in a few weeks up in Tingha. I am led to believe that the venue is reinforcing all of their spare chairs and tables ahead of George's furniture surfing activities. Get along, sing along, support local music and have a lot of fun. I'll be there selling merch and music for the band so bring a few dollars with you.
In 2020 some very good friends of mine gave me a little Christmas tree. They'd heard that I didn't have one and, with such a small unit, was worried about fitting one in! Somehow between leaving that house, living here and there, and my stuff being in storage it has gone missing. I was gutted when I realised. And after helping my friends put up their tree recently I resolved to organise a replacement. After a few hours of online searching I managed to find exactly the same tree that Dave and Gail gave me and it's currently winging its way to HQ Woozle here in the People's Republic of Gungahlin! It'll take about five minutes to put it up but I'll need either the Elvis Christmas album or a Heavy Metal Christmas to top off the occasion. It's FAR TOO EARLY for Christmas songs though as it is still November. Cool your jets folks.
The day's moving just too fast for me..."
Since my last entry I've been on a short break, rode far too many times up the same hill, planted more succulents, and finished writing a new song.
Slim Dusty - Looking Forward, Looking Back - https://youtu.be/AkM4BqWdXHI
Let's talk about holidays. I am not good at taking them, not good at all. A little while ago it became clear to me that I needed some time away from work and my regular life. Nothing bad had happened, I was simply worn out. So I booked myself three nights away at Malua Bay which is on the south coast of NSW only a couple of hours away. Three days and four nights away taught me a lot about myself. I'd aimed to do as little as possible other than reading, walking and playing my guitar but it didn't really work. I needed more to do. I'd not taken my bike on purpose as the roads down there aren't great but I missed it or at least the time spent on it. Next time I go anywhere I'll have some more activities organised as well as maybe some people to catch up with.
Amyl and The Sniffers - Hertz - https://youtu.be/_4RZgyyLI8k
In the last episode I'd just ticked over 40 reps of Black Mountain on my bike. The challenge (self-imposed) has continued. Including a big day a couple of weeks ago of 10 climbs, I'm now up to 100 since October 1. My goal is 120 (three times Mt Everest) by the end of the year. After I hit 120 I'm not sure what I'll do. Maybe a nap is in order.
Bon Jovi - I'll Sleep When I'm Dead - https://youtu.be/ts-e0uZfooQ
When I lived in my little house in Watson my mate Bing gave me a couple of succulents. I have never, ever, been keen on gardening but these little green plants gave me quite an amount of joy. Now I have three large tubs of them on my balcony and they do like being spoken to! I've been to the garden shop three times this year however and I think that's probably enough.
Spinal Tap - Listen To The Flower People - https://youtu.be/7-yTWhuK48s
My Dad has just been to visit. It was a lot of fun having him here and Canberra's various cafes got a good workout! There were a lot of highlights for me over an extended weekend but attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial was very special. It was special even when I worked there and went to the ceremony every day but attending with a family member is next level. My former colleagues looked after us so well and that was the icing on the cake.
On Sunday my mate Bing has a gig here in Canberra with his band, Murrigeejar Mob. Details are here. It's a bit of a warm up show for a big one happening in a few weeks up in Tingha. I am led to believe that the venue is reinforcing all of their spare chairs and tables ahead of George's furniture surfing activities. Get along, sing along, support local music and have a lot of fun. I'll be there selling merch and music for the band so bring a few dollars with you.
Ben Folds - Rockin' The Suburbs - https://youtu.be/34u_3Z9_LUw
As I mentioned earlier, I have managed to finish writing a new song. I'll start recording a demo of it this weekend with any luck. There are another two tunes in the works and I think that when they are ready that I should have enough for an album. The question then will be do I record it myself or do I get some collaborators along for the ride? Hopefully you'll have the opportunity to have it in your hot little hands before this time next year. There are demos of a few tracks on my Soundcloud account if you'd like a preview.
Poison - Cover of The Rolling Stone - https://youtu.be/YVYGhKWGwMA
Poison - Cover of The Rolling Stone - https://youtu.be/YVYGhKWGwMA
In 2020 some very good friends of mine gave me a little Christmas tree. They'd heard that I didn't have one and, with such a small unit, was worried about fitting one in! Somehow between leaving that house, living here and there, and my stuff being in storage it has gone missing. I was gutted when I realised. And after helping my friends put up their tree recently I resolved to organise a replacement. After a few hours of online searching I managed to find exactly the same tree that Dave and Gail gave me and it's currently winging its way to HQ Woozle here in the People's Republic of Gungahlin! It'll take about five minutes to put it up but I'll need either the Elvis Christmas album or a Heavy Metal Christmas to top off the occasion. It's FAR TOO EARLY for Christmas songs though as it is still November. Cool your jets folks.
Jet - Rollover DJ - https://youtu.be/Otyh093USio
Today, 30 November, is AUSMUSIC t-shirt day. It was pretty cool to see some of our politicians today sporting the Rock 4 RNR shirts that they got at the gig I played at a couple of months ago. Rock 4 RNR was initially an album release of a range of artists who are military veterans followed up with a concert. I'm on the album playing lead guitar on the next track. As a band we hadn't seen each other for months due to Covid lockdowns and we had to go into a studio, without a rehearsal, to lay this one down. It's not perfect but considering the circumstances I think it came out pretty well. The magnificent lyrics were written by my great mate Lachlan Irvine whose lyrics and poetry really should have him considered a national treasure. Picko is singing, Gordo is on the bass, Lachie is on guitar and Wayne did the production, drums and synth.
Veterans Inc. - Welcome Home - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jy0fBQruxM
I was going to write a lot more about new music I've been listening to but this entry is already getting a bit long. Spotify has told me about the 1500 artists I listened to so far this year as well as my favourite artists and songs. Who could have guessed that I'd be in the top 0.5% of AC/DC listeners worldwide ha ha! But I will leave you with something I've had on repeat for a little while.
Scary Pockets - Rocky Raccoon (Beatles cover) - https://youtu.be/TmdG2U2c0NQ
Rock on brothers and sisters and KEEP SMILING!
The Woozle
"I need some time in the sunshine
I've gotta slow it right downThe day's moving just too fast for me..."
Oasis, Rock 'n' Roll Star, 1994
