This moldy old blog thing...

Bread Mold. Says a lot, I think.

Right - haven't had anything to say for a while, but thought I'd let you two or three folks who still check in know that I'm alive.

I'm fine, thanks for asking. Just haven't felt like scrounging up a blog post in a while - had the window open a few times, started typing things, then got distracted and...well...huh? What was that?

Ohhhh...lunch.

While I'm positive a lot of this lack of effort has to do with the winter blues - shite, I've been even more of a mess this year than usual - fark it, I just don't feel like rabbiting on about random stuff. I have my opinions about things in the news and whatnot, but I can't imagine they're of any interest to anyone, and chances are someone's already said exactly what I've been thinking elsewhere. And the last thing I want is for this blog to become one of those "what I had for lunch" things. (Homemade veggie burrito today. Don't say you weren't warned.)

But spring is here, and the clamps are coming off the old brain, and the warmth is returning to my typing fingers (thank you, Bushmills) and I've got very little to do at work today (thank you, spring break).

In no particular order, here's what I've been up to, and what I've started planning since I've stopped blogging regularly:

1. Rediscovered the film Still Crazy, and by looking up the cast members, and Jimmy Nail specifically (see entry 2) I have discovered Auf Wiedersehen Pet. You UK people will roll your eyes, I'm sure, since it's been 25 years since its heyday, but you must realize it's new to ME. And it is WUNDERBAR. I've been watching it on YouTube, thanks to some brave YT users who aren't afraid of copyright wrist slaps, since it's still not available in the U.S. any other way - never released on zone 1 DVD, and never aired here, probably because most Americans couldn't get through the Geordie accent. It took me two or three episodes to fully understand it, and I'm good at accents. I'm all caught up on it, except for series 4, in Cuba. If anyone out there has access to that, and can post it on-line somewhere or on YouTube or even send it to me on a DVD that will play in North America, I will be your bitch. Well, very grateful anyway. "Donkey shite to you too, pal." (inside joke)

2. From the AufPet stepping stone, because OZ is the greatest character in TV history, I've been investigating the life and career of Jimmy Nail.** DVDs of Spender and Crocodile Shoes are on their merry way to me as I type. (I've got my sources, best not say more about that here. Shhhhhh.) I may have to invest in a zone 2 DVD player. Dammit. He waited a tad long to fix that tooth, but never mind that, it's all right now.

3. Also related, developed an interest in Newcastle United football. I KNOW IT'S ODD. I don't know how I'll sustain this interest - it's hard to follow over here, and I'm already up to my eyeballs in sports viewing. I'm really just keeping an eye on them via the internet. You won't find me at the pub at some god-awful hour of the morning watching them on satellite or anything. I am not a nutter. I am NOT.

4. Reading, reading, reading. As always, of course. It's only mentioned here because it accounts for so MUCH of my time. Currently mostly science and philosophy, but some crappy fiction too...anyone else read that awful Wally Lamb novel, "I Know This Much is True"? Cliche-ridden prose, plodding story, ham-fisted animal imagery and foreshadowing that a first-grader would roll his eyes at. Glad I bought it used, anyway. Couldn't wait to get back to writers who can write. This week it's E.O. Wilson. Something for the brain to chew on. Because I can feel my IQ sinking and I need to throw it a lifeline.

5. In recent weeks, trying to re-establish a social life. Meeting friends for drinks here and there again. Saw Sassy for some beers last week, won't wait another 6 months to do that again, and then actually went to an afternoon rockabilly show on Saturday. I dunno - people seemed to enjoy seeing me again, and making with the clever conversation and getting the rounds in. Must test this further.

6. The guitars are (very soon) going in to get fixed so that I can start noodling around on them at home again. I am ashamed of the shape they're in and that I haven't touched them in YEARS. I need to get off of YouTube and start doing something productive. Maybe I can start writing again. Who knows.

Spring is definitely in the air.

And that is all.




**DO NOT say anything negative about the Nail in the comments - I don't know why anyone would except to get a rise out of me, and I'm not in the mood. There is nothing negative TO BE said about the Nail. He shall be my second husband. And I'll delete your comment. I fucking mean it.