Youngsters can probably move on…but I seem to find myself looking at the real possibility of retiring. I’m not quite sure how this has suddenly occurred to me but after years of it being somewhere in the hazy distance, there it is, like approaching the city limits sign after a long drive. Not that it’s inevitable right now – I have a permie job I generally don’t especially enjoy but from a cash flow perspective it’s handy I guess. But post holidays / post-lockdown my thoughts are turning to having more time, absorbing myself in things I want to do, and generally enjoying a bit of literal and mental freedom. But…but…I discover I have a stronger work ethic than I realised, and part of me is struggling with the idea of bailing out when I could be working. I wholeheartedly agree with the old trope about no gravestone ever said “I wish I’d spent more time at work”….but pushing the button is proving harder to do than I thought.

Any thoughts / experiences / stories welcome!

My nice RHA TrueConnect ear buds don’t work well with my phone – which led me to wonder about the different versions of Bluetooth and how they affect audio quality and usability. Any thoughts?

I have a number of 16mm films shot by my Dad which I’d like to restore. Any experience of getting this done here? Good service providers, do/don’ts?

ta

I’ve been using the Kindle app for a few years without any problems but I do wonder if a real Kindle would be better? Apparently the screen is nicer for reading and they are lighter? Any views?

I have been rocking an old faded Brooks Bros take on the classic Harrington with added patch pockets every summer since ages ago, but I have a mind to get a replacement as we emerge, blinking, into the sunlight. I am thinking collarless, not waisted, slim lined…just started the search for that rare thing, me buying an item of clothing which isn’t a pair of Levi’s or a tee shirt. Anyways, what jacket will you be sporting this summer? A jaunty Seersucker? College blazer? Battered Wrangler? Give me some ideas.

It’s gloomy out and it’s been a long week so let’s have some up tempo tracks to get us to the weekend in a buoyant mood! This my current earwig.

https://youtu.be/NnilaaFrza4

Yes, apparently so. Get hep.

I just made a playlist of songs written by Gretchen (popular with some here). Some versions very like her but some quite different. Any other playlists of interesting covers out there beyond the usual suspects?

A few of us commented that Tig hadn’t been about much. I’ve been in touch with the great man and it’s just an over abundance of life getting in the way and he’ll be back amongst us soon. He’d like this…

Tony Rice, bluegrass guitar maestro, went to the great pickin’ festival in the sky today. He hadn’t been well for a while which had affected his playing and he’d refused to perform when he felt he was less than 100% i.e. about 1000 times better than almost anyone. He was also a languid and natural singer and took the genre way beyond where other great bluesgrass pickers go, rather like Clarence White, his great inspiration, did in the 60s. He leaves a great legacy of albums and live material, this being a good example of him in his natural environment, trading licks live with other monster players Mark O’Conner, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas. His solos at the beginning and end would probably take the average moral about 30 years to learn and he knocks them off with ease – and you can be sure the following night he’d have done something completely different. There are many great shredders but few with such swing, poise and relaxed sense of fun and joy at playing.

Just sitting up with a peaty one and the end of the log in the wood burner and it’s past midnight so it’s Christmas Day. Have a good one all, however and whether you choose to mark the day. Your daily witterings always give me joy, especially appreciated in these difficult times.

Love

Twang

I’m surprised no one has mentioned already that one of the greatest British novelists has passed through to the other side. I’ve read most of his books, all good, some brilliant. The core Smiley ones, Tinker Tailor, Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley’s people (aka The Karla Trilogy) are deservedly seen as highlights but The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a classic and the others are all worth a look. I reread A Small Town in Germany numerous times decades ago on a kibbutz where the library was rather limited and it never failed to grip me.

It’s sad he’s gone but he had an excellent innings at 89 and what a legacy. RIP.

I need an example of easy rocking, cajun tinged accordian. A swinging, sightly funky groove with some tasty driving accordian maybe. Any ideas? I have some running round my head but can’t think of the songs. Suggestions welcome!

As it’s Friday, time for a handy natter abiut your favourite funny films. At Twang Towers we have (well, Jr and I) decided the top five are:

Animal House

Blazing Saddles

Airplane

Spinal Tap

The Blues Brothers.

Opinion hasn’t settled on a ranking but I think it’s between House and Saddles with House possibly edging it.

Yours?

I’ve just finished a delicious bottle of Scala – The Orcadian which Mrs. T gave me for my birthday which was about perfect – single malt with a touch of peat but didn’t leave residue on your tongue, its only problem was you always want a drop more. Anyway, I can’t have one as it’s all gone now. So, recommendations please. Quite interested in some of the new interesting ones if anyone has experience? I had a nice bottle of Welsh single malt my (Welsh) mum bought me. Norfolk whisky? But what’s your favourite tipple?

My mum is approaching being bed ridden so I want to get her a small TV for the bedroom – 22″ maybe. Also there’s no antenna in there but she has good WiFi. Any advice on models, solutions? I haven’t tried to run, say, Freeview over wi-fi. Is it even possible? Smart TV etc?