Today Fiction Romantic found himself in a mental hospital, not for the first time, but this was different. You could tell by the posters on the wall and all the telephone numbers (I even have some more of those now!).

This is the ballad of Fiction Romantic and how it came to this sorry state. Fast rewind to the early eighties when your correspondent was 17 years old. This was Thatcher’s Britain for any youngsters reading this. After leaving college, having spent more time drinking than studying, and gained a single ‘O’ level to add to the three I left school with (sociology if you were wondering) I joined the ever growing dole queue. After a few months largely spent drinking and having a good time (I’m sure money went further in those days) I was offered a place on a YTS scheme, Work Experience on Employers Premises. I duly started in an admin office within a large factory. After a few months (this was a six month placement) and much to our and our “employers” surprise we were told that we would be getting day release for 10 weeks to learn “life skills”, or how to make us look » Continue Reading.

I predict a great future for this young upstart. Dedicated to the memory of Sandra, sorry I was such a fool.

My old Zafira died in last weeks flood so went to look at a a replacement today. I have chosen a car and went home to the wife. Having told her the basic details, (I can now listen to my iPod in the car!) she asked what colour is it, grey I says, what colour is the interior? she says, no fooking idea I says.

When it comes to décor I can tell you what I don’t like but beyond that it doesn’t matter. Is this a bloke thing?

If you asked me if I liked Frank I would probably respond with “well Strangers in the Night is tolerable”.

Following Bob’s Shadows In The Night set I thought I’d dig out the originals. What a let down.

On another thread someone (I can’t remember who) mentioned Franks suicide trilogy which I guess are In The Wee Small Hours (having a wee in the small hours is an age thing), Where Are You?, and Sings For Only The Lonely. I’d happily sit through that lot with a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of pills knowing that I’d be asleep long before either were finished.

Trouble is Frank sounds flat ( © ianess ) to me. Am I missing something, is there a key to unlock the mysteries of his voice, ( the arrangements don’t do a lot for me either ).

Over to you lot, convince me I’m wrong!