Stand and

Had some 'shed' time with my Dad this morning (I wonder if I will buy a shed when I get older??) We catch up on the weeks happenings etc. He was really impressed with an MP3 player my partner had bought me, and I think he is going out to buy one. Cool or what?
Spent the day cleaning out the fish and defrosting the fridge? (Or was that cleaning the fridge and defrosting the fish!) Romantic or what. Managed a half hour practice and start the show Sunday so a busy week ahead. We are having a Chinese in tonight. I rang the local take away and asked them if they deliver. They said no...they do beef and chicken but no liver???

Egg

Writing this from work so very naughty. I have kept my head down today as it is the notorious Fri 13th and after already bumping my head this week (no protection) I thought I would play safe. Seeing it is Valentines day tomorrow I thought I would have a romantic weekend in Paris. I told my partner not to worry as I would bring her something nice back. Actually it is a dangerous time the 14th Feb. I remember last year one of my work colleagues was sent a card by a mystery admirer, his wife went ape and took ages to forgive him. Luckily I only have one card..the one I send myself, so no complications there.

Take Hart

Expensive month old February, what with Valentines and Birthdays all coming at once. I have been out to buy 12 red roses for my loved one today, I might even get my girlfriend some as well lol.
Yesterday I had a flap on as for the first time in my life I became bankrupt!!!! it was only for 4 hours and was a cock up on the Banks side, but it was very scary at the time. I am pleased to say that the £34.50p is now safe in my account phew!!

Wind

A couple of solos last night, but I can't say that I am pleased with my playing. It is strange, but the passion seems to have disappeared. I still practice religiously every day but my flexibility is crap at this time? Am I worried??? Well no not really. You see, being the person I am, I have never liked myself and always feared dropping a major b****ck. As the fear has always been worse than reality,I figure it's time I did drop a major te***icle and actually see what happens? Now a major Goo*y to me is splitting or fluffing a note. I hate it as most of the tunes I solo on are well known. You can get away with it in jazz, but a well known tune has no hiding place??? Drummers can get away with it as can Bass guitars etc cos they never really do popular solos and how can you get a wrong note on the drums? Singers can get away with ad lib words sometimes, but us brass and reed players are out on a limb. Funny then that drummers and singers always get the most applause. I think I have explained that in a previous blog as the audience figure they understand the drum and voice as they can hit things and sing in the bath. As for brass and reed all they think is ,we move a slide, push a valve or key, blow and the sound just comes out!!! Ah well, bring on the next solo.

Coffee

I have gone from rushing around like the proverbial blue derriere fly to trying to find something to do. We only did one Funeral today so most of my time has been spent in the very cold coffin shop, handling and lining coffins. It is then that you start to dream of Lottery wins and warmer climbs? I dressed the Gentleman that I know and his dear wife has paid her last respects. The write up in the paper for him was marvelous and he was a well loved man. I think everyone should have a potted history written about what they have achieved in life. In Kenya it is standard in the obituary columns. Tonight I will be playing in the Big Band for the first time in 2 weeks? It seems much longer so I hope I get an easy night?

Snow stopping us now

There is a scene in the Glenn Miller story where the band are trying to get to a gig through a snow storm. They all just about make it playing 'Over the rainbow' as a combo until all the Band were in situ. Unfortunately we could not recreate that last night as the snow stopped some players who lived in the 'sticks' making the gig. We managed to contact all but one member of the Band to tell them that it was off. Unfortunately a Trumpet player made it all the way to the pub, as he had heard a rumour there might be a free drink?
Touching today as I had to do a burial of ashes of a young woman. Her daughter who was very young, bravely put the ashes into their final resting place. It is on these occasions that the job is hard as you just wanted to give her a big hug, But in this PC world we live in it is not allowed!

Decaff

An extremely pleasant day out for coffee and cake. Apart from wanting to live by the sea, i would also like to run a little tea room there. No fry ups or all day breakfast ,but Coffee and Cake. Music in the background would change between swing and chill to add to the ambiance? Just enough room to fit a small Band in for special occasions? Dream on!!!