World Wide Woozle episode #679

Hello, I'm back again. Hang on whilst I plug my computer into the gas mains because I'm not getting the sound I'm liking.**

But now it seems, I'm just a stranger to myself

I wrote this bit yesterday, August the 15th. Today is important to me for many reasons that I hadn't realised until this morning. Facebook told me so. Four years ago today I took possession of my current abode. It's small, but it's mine. Prior to living here I had become unexpectedly homeless and will forever be thankful to Bing, Todd and Suzy for putting a roof over my head for a few months. Six years ago today I went to my first coffee catchup with the Veterans' Motorcycle Club. Some of their members looked out for me for a while and I'm still friends with them. Good blokes who care. Twelve years ago on this date was my last day of employment as a teacher. I don't miss it too much but, for almost fifteen years I loved it. Thirty one years ago today was one of the highlights of my relatively unremarkable military career. I was part of the Catafalque Party at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier on VP Day. I remember meeting some WWII veterans that day in between our shifts in the Tomb. One of them cried because he couldn't believe the care we had taken with our uniforms and drill. Years later I would work at the War Memorial and spend hours and hours in the same place. After the last couple of weeks I needed some help regaining my perspective and these few milestones have helped me move towards that.

  
  

Mulligan's Flat - 15 August 2026

Frenzal Rhomb - There's Your Dad - https://youtu.be/L8WgW_ueiFs

Memories of a frozen time beyond

Long time readers and listeners will know of my admiration for the Canberra heavy metal band, Armoured Angel. In my opinion they are one of the greatest bands of that type that Australia has ever produced. Last week, via their FB page, I noted that a couple of demos from their unfinished 1996 album were being released on limited edition 7" record and CD. Well, they did it right and the package deal including those as well as a t-shirt and two patches arrived this week. Keeping in mind that the album was never completed and that these are early recordings from those sessions, I still like them. Well, one song I really like and one might take a bit more time to grow on me. It's interesting to ponder what these tracks might have become. Armoured Angel aren't on any of the official streaming services but you're welcome to come to my place to listen to almost everything they've ever released, as well as a stellar live bootleg. And of course there are unofficial tracks on YouTube, like this one...

Armoured Angel - Armoured Angel - https://youtu.be/A64Q8CPN6rw

Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams

In late 2024 I went to the Mojave Desert with my good mate DUG. Other than being spectacular, and some of the best few days of my life, I was introduced to riding in Jeeps. I'd never been in one and since DUG has two, I've been in both! I could never justify owning one here, especially at the moment when I drive about 30km a week, but they are such fun. So, a while ago I weakened and ordered one, sight unseen, online. It didn't take long to be delivered and I am very happy with it. My only complaint is that it isn't red or silver like DUG's but I guess I'll cope.

The Dresden Dolls - The Jeep Song - https://youtu.be/807hyrQiK5A

But the miles, they never seem to end

The Commonwealth Games are over. With all due respect to Glasgow who stepped in and ran a good event at short notice, the whole thing has become a bit ho-hum. The Comm Games used to be a big deal. Now it's a bit like a glorified training camp where one or two countries win almost everything because the majority of top ranked competitors aren't from the Commonwealth. We could fix it though. Firstly, one city generally isn't big enough or financially able to host a big event. How about we rotate it between countries? I mean, Australia wins a lot of medals so why don't we, as a country, host the whole thing. Our weather is good, we love sport, and taking the whole country into account we have the facilities. Perhaps we could invite former Commonwealth countries to compete in order to bolster the competition. Or, limit how many competitors from one country can be in a final. You don't get a single country getting gold, silver and bronze in the same event at the Olympics do you? How about we go back to treating the Commonwealth Games seriously or, or limit eligibility to emerging athletes, or find our way into stronger competition? Australia somehow manages to compete in Eurovision after all.

John Farnham - Playing to Win (The Acoustic Chapel Sessions) - https://youtu.be/5QOy7d-VWpY

I'm made of metal, my circuits gleam

Not counting my early dalliances with the original Fitbit devices, I've had a smartwatch since 2020. Initially I had a Garmin Instinct and more recently an Amazfit T-Rex 3. Both are fabulous devices that do more than I've ever needed. There's a dark side to them though. The first is relatively obvious and that is that you are always connected, regularly distracted, and never alone. How many times have you been out for coffee, at dinner, in a meeting, or having a conversation when either you or the other person has got a notification on their watch and decided to read and/or deal with it? It's become a constant in our lives and I think it sucks. I can deal with that though. It happened when mobile telephones came into our lives and the behaviours we have all learned aren't going anywhere. There is, however, a bigger problem and that is the potential obsession with the data that smartwatches collect. More than a year ago now, my psych and my dietitian asked me what kind of data was on my wrist. I enthusiastically told them about my resting heart rate, number of steps taken, kilometres ridden and walked, sleep patterns, and calories expended. Both of them advised me to turn these features off, or at least to hide them from being seen every time I looked at the time. You see, I was fixated on the data. Could I train harder and get my resting heart rate under 40bpm? Did I need another quick walk before bed to get my steps to whatever insane goal I had in mind? Had I burned enough calories that day so that everything I'd eaten was negated and I was in a deficit? Are you getting the picture? In the last few weeks I noticed that I was opening the app for my watch and checking all the data again, often, and too much. Funnily enough, what made me realise this was that the watch was digging into my ulnar styloid (the bump in your wrist on the same side as your little finger) and bruising it. Why was my wrist skinnier than usual? And yes, I know the answer to that question and it involves nutrition. Can I ditch the smartwatch altogether and regain some of my sanity as well as my focus? Maybe. For now I'm only wearing it when I go walking, or hopefully cycling, to track those activities. I have loved watches since I got my first Timex as a small child whilst living in Singapore (I still have it, and it works just fine if you wind it up). So I'll go back to wearing some of the cool watches that I have neglected for ages. At the moment I'm rocking a groovy green Casio F91W which Angus got for me in Japan a while ago. Apparently the watch, unlike me, is quite a fashion statement.

Queensrÿche - I Dream In Infrared · https://youtu.be/JJowBTSh90E

And now, I'll do my second set of exercises for the day and then head outside before it rains. 

Keep smiling you legends,

The Woozle

"Would Jesus build a border wall? Would Jesus drive a tank?
Would Jesus own an arsenal? Would Jesus run a bank?
Would Jesus feel safe in his skin if he came to your town?
Would you still believe in Jesus if you found out he was brown?"

Jordan Smart, Who would Jesus bomb?, 2023.

** thank you John Bird.

World Wide Woozle episode #678

Welcome back.

Here is the weather forecast; I've been out on the World Wide Woozle balcony and it is pissing down with rain.**

Puts a song in this heart of mine

For the new readers/listeners/stalkers, as well as those who simply don't pay attention, I live in Canberra. Rain here is so unusual that it means people lose their minds. Hardly anyone knows how to drive when the roads are wet, raincoats are things that other people have, and our footpaths are clearly designed to flood. The timing of this precipitation is also right on the money, with our local government trying to lower the level of a few lakes to allow for maintenance. Seriously, who would want to be in a scuba suit in a Canberra lake in the middle of winter? 

Hazlett - queen of the season - https://youtu.be/FwgEPkGVu84

Anything, anytime

Fans of comedy, bird lovers, and children of the 70s and 80s would have been sad, like me, to hear of the passing of Bill Oddie. Did you know that Bill played drums in a production of the rock opera, Tommy, along with the London Symphony Orchestra, or that he sang on a Rick Wakeman album? Neither did I. The internet is useful some of the time. I was fortunate enough to have The Goodies as part of my childhood whilst living in Scotland, New Zealand, and Australia. Hats off to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation who from memory screened an episode four nights a week for many years. Bill Oddie was 85.

The Goodies - The Scout Proficiency Badges - https://youtu.be/tZBeuFbn3Go

Think I'll buy me a football team

I have a love/hate relationship with music streaming services. Artists aren't paid properly, everyone wants to listen for free, it's the death of the album, and greedy executives manipulate algorithms to choose what we listen to. Streaming, however, allows the curious to find music that was never going to be on the radio, or easily accessible, and I like that. More and more I listen to podcasts and audiobooks on Spotify but music comes from my own physical library loaded onto an old iPod or my phone. For the readers who may be unsure, a podcast is like a radio show, documentary, or an interview, it's just that you listen when it suits you. What can we do then, because music streaming isn't going away. One thing to consider is supporting bands and performers to make their music. 

Recently I pre-ordered a couple of albums from less well known Australian artists. Of course, these albums will be on streaming services soon enough and I can and will listen online too. But, and it's a big but (and I cannot lie) there will be no more good music if we don't pay fairly for it. Artists can't survive on streaming clicks, Facebook likes, and fresh air. The albums I have ordered are from Fanny Lumsden, and from Perry Keyes. I'll link songs from them below. Fanny, I have seen live and have some of her work already. She's a fabulous country/folk artist who hails from the Riverina in New South Wales. Her album, Traditions, is out on October 30 but available to order from her website. Perry Keyes came to my attention when I realised that he wrote the song, The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw, which was re-recorded by The Whitlams. Both versions are fantastic but I really like Perry's grittier sound and delivery. I simply love the way the drums hit four strong beats(eg: at 1m20s), what a great song. Perry's new album, The Alison Bend, is out on 21 August and you can get it here.

Fanny Lumsden - Difficult Woman - https://youtu.be/MGkHkcK_0II

Perry Keyes - Warren Zevon Has Stopped Drinking - https://youtu.be/cBaGpqvtm30

Because everything I say is everything you've ever wanted to hear 

I read, in books, online and on the subway walls, that the truth will set you free. To quote Henry Rollins though, "I'm a liar". I am struggling with eating and food more than I care to admit. I wrote about it last time and it may have sounded as if I was making progress, but I'm a bit stuck. I guess, like most things, if you haven't been there then you can't quite understand. I'm not going to fade away as I did when this affliction really ramped up, but I am worried. I saw my psychologist last week and I told her the truth. I mean, if you're going to lie to the shrink then why bother going? I should know, it took me years to get that right. Again, I'm not asking anyone out there for help, but if I keep on outing that unhelpful voice then maybe it will help me to shove it in the corner more easily.

Tears for Fears - Shout (live) - https://youtu.be/Y9F3RnLED1s

Studio 54 is the only place to dance

Recently I finished listening to the audiobook version of Chrissy Amphlett's autobiography, Pleasure and Pain. If you are a fan of the band, or interested in Australian music from the 80s and 90s then it's worth picking up. In some ways, however, it was a difficult read for me. Divinyls were a fabulous band but knowing some of the darker parts of their story and how entitled they were, at times, is a bit hard. After finishing the book I read a review of it that said something along the lines of, "great band, terrible people". 

Divinyls - Only Lonely (live Australian Made 1987) - https://youtu.be/vPFgK3sDUnY

The blood of the guitar was Chuck Berry red

Finally, the guitar. I committed to doing my level best to play it a bit. There are only six guitars in this house and it's hard to avoid them. I tuned up my old Taylor acoustic and I've been strumming a few chords more than once a day to get my fingertips back in shape. Guess what, I can still play. I think my next thing to do will be to learn a couple of new songs. Thanks to those of you that have been positive about this.

Tune in next time for lots more blethering including how we can fix the Commonwealth Games, and my review of a new release from the best heavy band Australia has ever produced.

Tabeana,

The Woozle

"Yeah, it could be any one of us, with a broken mind...

I learned about mercy
For everyone else, and for myself"

Suzanne Santo, Mercy, 2021

** thank you John Bird.

World Wide Woozle episode #677

Hello enormous listening world. For the comfort of others, please refrain from using the toilets whenever we're stationary.

Buy for comfort, buy for kicks

Recently I happened upon a Facebook Marketplace offering that was actually good. A fella, in my local area, was selling a big collection of Henry Rollins / Rollins Band books, CDs, and cassettes AND at prices that weren't silly. I met up with him on a cold Canberra evening and came home with a book, some CDs, and a double cassette. I'll talk about the book in a future episode because I need to spend time reading it. The real gem of the lot was a live CD that usually goes for the same amount I paid for the whole bundle. The Rollins Band ripping it up on stage in The Netherlands. The double cassette is Henry reading selections from his early tour diary, published as Get In The Van. I'll stay away from Marketplace for a long while now but this purchase was a real bonanza!

Hard-Ons with Henry Rollins - Let There Be Rock - https://youtu.be/FMzowawbDbk

Some got pollution, some revolution

You may have guessed that I like to write. I think a lot about what to write when I'm out on my daily walks, when I'm riding the light rail, or in the shower. I have been tempted to turn it into a podcast but the reality is, I wouldn't be able to play any of the music as part of that without paying licensing fees. Oftentimes these episodes live in my head as a radio show akin to that of Henry Rollins or Bob Dylan but they can stay there. Unlike many other bloggers, writers, podcasters and dare I say it, influencers (vomited in my mouth there), I actually pay attention to the creative output of others. My good mate Dave Macca has recently taken steps to return to writing via his blog. Macca can read more books, and remember what they are about, than anyone I know. To top it all off, he has a talent for speaking, and writing that makes stuff interesting and accessible to a wide variety of readers. Check him out here. Minds are for expanding.

Belle and Sebastian - Wrapped Up In Books - https://youtu.be/iBU-MxydbWQ

Jaws was never my scene

Cycling. There, I said it. I've now ridden my bike three times in the last three weeks. Before anyone feels the need to tell me to be careful, to rug up, and not to overdo it; yep I am aware and I understand. My days of long, long rides are over for the foreseeable future if not forever. After more than a year of rehab, and a lot of bad words said under my breath, I am allowed to ride for about 30 minutes at a time once or twice a week. The first two times I went out were nerve wracking to say the least, but other than a minor twinge in one of my glutes, they seemed to go reasonably well. Yesterday I went out for a trundle with Toddo and that was totally awesome. We cruised in the sun wearing our full winter riding kit, talked non-stop, and it all felt good. This was also the first time I'd worn cycling gear in a long while and it still fits! More on that later. My plan is to be able to ride approximately 50km once a week with my mates, as well as a couple of shorter rides. Given that I used to push out 300km a week, the mindset change involved is, and continues to be huge.

Miranda Lambert - Gravity Is A Bitch - https://youtu.be/WnxfVJd4VzM

The sounds of the city, baby, seem to disappear

Recently I've been helping a local band to set up their sound production by attending rehearsals and a gig to do some mixing. I've also been assisting with in-ear monitors (IEMs). Essentially IEMs replace the big speakers that point at the band so that they can hear themselves. A lot of musicians have significant hearing loss because those monitors need to be loud to compete with a drum kit, the lead guitarist's 100 watt Marshall stack, the bass player's personal hygiene issues, and the singer's ego. IEMs, which are glorified earbuds, provide each band member with their own dedicated mix at a volume level that they themselves can manage on the fly if they want to. What I notice with the band I am assisting is how much better they sounded as a unit once the IEMs were in place. The drummer commented that for the first time ever he genuinely could hear what was going on. I wish these had been readily available when I was a gigging musician.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Can't You Hear Me Knocking - https://youtu.be/6Ep-rIAe2Ho

With my back to the riser, I make my stand

I haven't played a guitar for more than a minute or two in over a year. It's not that I haven't wanted to, I just haven't been in anything remotely approaching the right headspace. I hear songs and think I should learn them. I have people both encouraging me and inviting me to play. I know it's good for me and I love it but, it's just not been happening. Last week I needed to have a bit of an intervention that was led by me along with some gentle pushing from two of my colleagues. You see, what happened, or at least what crept up on me, was that I had stopped eating. Not totally, because I am still here, but enough to be a major concern. It's a road I've been a long way down before but I haven't really had a relapse for a couple of years. And what happened? Well exactly what you'd expect; I started to feel that I was struggling at work, my mental health suffered, and there were a few other clear markers as well. It's a vicious cycle because I placate the voice in my head by not eating much. Then my brain can't function properly and the voice of reason and logic hasn't got enough energy to do its thing. Which brings me back to cycling. I was convinced that none of my cycling gear would fit yesterday and I almost cancelled the ride. Guess what, it fitted just fine, and probably the way it always did. Having others encouraging me to eat doesn't work, in fact it makes things worse. What I seem to be able to do, with the benefit of ongoing therapy and gentle understanding from others, is to re-convince my brain that being healthy and eating properly go hand in hand. When I get that mix right then I can manage to have good things in my life; like playing the guitar and leaving the house. So, without wanting to put unnecessary pressure on myself, I'm going to take some of that stubbornness and willpower that the eating disorder uses to be unhelpful, and try to channel it into something positive. The song a day playlist works and is up to over 200 entries, and I can manage my back and core exercises four times a day without fail, so I'm going to try to do some regular strumming and picking. Watch this space. 

Lux Lisbon - Get Some Scars - https://youtu.be/D13lu3aajjo

I think I've said enough. See you next time for another random set of ramblings.

The Woozle

"Poor old Johnnie Ray,

Sounded sad upon the radio,

Moved a million hearts in mono..."

Sugarland & Sara Bareilles, Come On Eileen (live Dexy's cover), 2011.