I got an email from Peter yesterday evening.

 

This is what he said, "Hey, I'm very keen to know what you'll be playing at this unclosed Michael gig on Sunday. I'd also like to know how you organise a totally solo tune on the violin. How about a post on this, if you've got time. Sheesh, I'd be very grateful."

Okay Peter but firstly, let me explain to my readers that by 'unclosed Michael gig' you are referring to an 'open mic gig'. An open mic gig is where anyone can come along and sing a couple of songs, read a poem or play some instrumentals. Actually, at this gig everything is acoustic and there are no microphones.

Okay, down to business.

Firstly, as I've mentioned before, I'm playing two of my original tunes - The Accordion Lady and The Immigrants. In 2001 I was walking around the shops one evening in Tauranga. There was a lady busking with an accordion. There were a lot of people walking around and no one seemed to be paying any attention to her or her music. Most of us musicians have experienced this at one time or another. I decided to write a tune about her and sort of immortalize her efforts. Unfortunately, I've only ever played it once before (this year - not the solo version) in public, so her immortalization has been a long time coming. However, I have played this tune, many times at home, over the years. The second tune is a tribute to people who move to another country. When I was at college, I didn't make it into 3P and was put into 3G (3 General), I made a lot of Polish friends whose parents had immigrated to Aotearoa after the second world war. Throughout our lives Shelley and I have had many close friends who started life in another part of the world. One Sri Lankan family even call us their Kiwi parents. My tune salutes these people.

Okay, I've written a lot of 'tunes' over the years, mostly to be played on the double bass. The double bass is tuned (low to high) E A D G. The violin is tuned G D A E. The double bass in tuned in fourths and the violin in fifths. So, all you have to do, to play these double bass tunes on the violin, is play everything back to front!

I'm just going to quickly talk about playing The Accordion Lady this morning.

Okay, the number one thing that people want to hear is the tune. So, I'll start and end with the tune, which is 32 bars long. Though, I'll drop a few chords in too and also maybe start the final tune a bit later. I'll also try to hint at the tune at other times when I'm adding other stuff. I'll be adding chords (mainly double stops) and arpeggios. The chord progression is a bit tricky, so I've been practising it over and over so that, hopefully, I can drop into it naturally to outline where the piece is going.

That's probably enough for now, Peter, but I can answer any questions you have in the comments. 

Thanks for your interest.

Ciao tutti.

Peter finds time to comment on Bob's blog in the morning, but not mine.

 

Please note that the dates and times are wrong, and some of the grammar isn't much better.

"He knew if he took his mind of it..."

Maybe this is because Bob loves him?

Friday Morning

 I wonder what Peter is up to this morning?

It was very windy at tennis yesterday, but they had a good turnout.

He also had a lunch that he really enjoyed - ham, cheese and tomato sandwich made from a freshly baked loaf.

Could it be golf today?

We can only wait to find out. Let's just hope that he stays away from those banks and, while at home, that attic ladder.

They cut down the old pine tree.

 They cut down the old pine tree - LISTEN HERE.

Sorry, but that was the only 'cutting down a tree' song that I could think of. Hey, if I remember correctly, my mum used to sing that song.

We had a tree that was badly damaged by the wind. Yesterday I cut it down. We have professionals coming, at some point, to cut down three more trees. Then they'll take away all the cut down trees. Great stuff.

 

In other good news, I don't think that Peter fell out of the attic yesterday.

"I haven't been under the house either."

Good boy!

I've made a commitment to go to that 'open mic' session on Sunday. I've booked a motel in Newtown to save having to drive at night. I'll play, as I told you, my two original solo violin pieces. I did an hour on them yesterday before cutting down that tree. Obviously, I'll do more practice over the next two days. 

No other bloggers have posted so far this morning. I won't tell you what's going on around the blogs. You can use our LINKS service if you want to see. Hey, but nothing to see really.

I think I'll write a bit in Italian, just to fill up the post.

Stamattina non fa troppo freddo. È un bene, perché presto devo consegnare il giornale al mio vecchio vicino. Indosserò la mia giacca. Va bene, credo che per stamattina vi lascerò qui.

Ciao tutti.

Tree fellas wanted.

 

I've got a guy coming around early this afternoon to look at some of our trees. One has blown over and there are 'tree' others that I want removed. It'll cost a bit, but it'll be good to be rid of these four trees. 

I'm thinking of going to an open mike concert, in Newtown, on Sunday evening. I'd like to play the two original tunes that I have been working on - The Accordion Lady and The Immigrants. The Accordion Lady is quite a tricky one, so I'll have to put in quite a bit more practice. I did 30 minutes of double practice yesterday. I have a couple of originals (well, four actually) on il contrabbasso that are sounding pretty damn good. Hey, but it's much easier to lug a violin to one of these concerts.

In a comment on my last post Robert gave me an English lesson.

"It's a gerund and is considered to be singular. If I bantered I would be having light hearted conversation once."

Yes, a gerund is a singular word BUT I can find no reference to 'banterings' anywhere. Boring bantering can be something you have a habit of doing, something that you do more than once. Bob's boring bantering CAN be a regular occurrence.

"People dancing are fun to watch." Should this be, "People dancing is fun to watch."? No, not necessarily.

Ah, why am I bothering? Unless Rob decides to become an English teacher, most people are safe. Though, judging from the bad grammar I see on Facebook, there is worse grammar out there.

Spell it however you want, Bob. Just go easy on the banter because your latest posts are a bit boring.

"A lot of you're posts are boring to Richard!
Get of your hi horse and support gay rights!"

Okay Rob, you've got me there.

Ciao tutti.

All roads lead to Rome, but most don't go anywhere near "Bob's boring banterings".

 

Do you see the little picture of The Curmudgeon below? If you click on it, you can get to The Curmudgeons Ink blogs. (Obviously, clicking on this copied picture won't work.)

This doesn't work if Bob leaves a message and you click on his little picture.

You just get this.

No way in from here.

The only way I know to get into his blog is via our famous LINKS service.

Are most people going to go to that much trouble to read a blog that will probably be gone in a week or two, if not sooner? Anyway, the name of the blog speaks for itself.

Actually, you don't need an 's' on bantering because it is already plural.

Is it healthy to go around telling non-Catholic men that you love them? Okay, it seems that I'm out of favour but really, I'm the lucky one!

It appears that Peter wasn't impressed by my last post.

Peter after biting his lip.
He was probably excited
about Robert loving him.

"Sheesh!
Over on Richard's blog his post today is all about getting up and driving to work.
Well that'd be OK, boring but OK except that he disclosed that he talks to himself, in the car, in Japanese. WTF?"

That's actually a misquote. I talk, in English, to a lady who rattles on in Japanese. Peter won't understand but that's called being friendly.

Let me say, right here and now, "I don't love you, Peter."

Hey, no hard feelings. In fact, I hope that you didn't get hard at all!

Well, that's pretty much my lot for today.

Ciao tutti.

Mercoledì.

Still dark here, but it will light up over the next half hour. Then I will go to work with my violin and my very big bag full of music.

My violin. You'll have to
imagine my very big bag
full of music. Sorry about
that.

I get to work early so that I can spend at least half an hour warming up. I start with long bows and getting the first finger of my left hand in tune. An old violinist saying is, "Use long bows and you'll sound like a professional." I've found this to be really true and, when my students arrive, I make them do a few long bows.

I haven't touched my double bass for a few days, but I'll try to put that right today. Today is a short day at work, so I do have time.

The new heater is working really well. Hey, I'm warm! I've had my coffee, so it is now time to do my last chores before heading off in my Note.

I never feel alone in the half hour plus that it takes me to drive to work because there is a lady who talks to me in Japanese. It was nice of Nissan to think of this little bonus. When she talks, I reply in English like I understand her. Hey, it doesn't take much to be friendly.

Well, that's it from me.

Ciao tutti.

Martedì.

Il blog di Roberto non esiste più. Nessuna grande sorpresa.

Il suo blog va e viene. Forse è meglio farne a meno? Forse Gesù gli ha detto di toglierlo? Sembra che Gesù voglia unirsi a Roberto e alla sua donna per un rapporto a tre. Dio onnipotente!

Per stasera è tutto.

Ciao tutti.

Evidently there are only two university degrees held by people around the northern bays of the Rei.

 3 degrees in Wainuiomata. I was cold in bed. Now I'm up and wearing lots of clothes. Fortunately, we have the new heater.

I must get some double bass practice done today. Violin: I read a thing online that said that jazz musicians know very little about music theory but Classical musicians know a lot.

Che stronzata!*

I have an Honours degree in Classical music, so I think I'm qualified to comment. I have learnt so many things at Jazz clinics, normally run by well-known American musicians, that I bet Classical musicians have never heard of! 

Hey, back to violin practice! 

Not much to tell really. I'm putting a lot of work into my four unaccompanied pieces. You won't want details, I know.

* * *

Robert is safely back from further north where he's in a 'manage a trois' with Jesus and a nice lady. He drove back smiling and undressed (bare), as Peter pointed out in a comment on his blog.

Things are not looking good in the Middle East with Trump getting in on the action. 

It's a mad, mad world at the moment.

* * *

I can't think of anything to write, so I think I'll give Peter a ring.

Ring, ring, ring.

Peter: Yes, Richard, what is it?

Richard (of RBB): How's the weather up there?

Peter: You didn't just ring to ask me that, did you? I was using the bathroom.

Richard (of RBB): Oops. I hope you didn't drop your phone in the bath.

Peter: No. I was just dealing with the call of nature. What do you want?

Richard (of RBB): Well, at least you weren't coming down the attic ladder. Have you an opinion on Classical musicians and their music theory knowledge?

Peter: As I just said, I was answering the call of nature and, in that moment, I can't say that I give a shit about music theory. 

Richard (of RBB): Ha, ha! Still going for those puns, eh?

Peter: No. What I am saying is that I had other things on my mind when I heard my phone ring.

Richard (of RBB): So, you had your phone in the bathroom? I hope you washed your hands before answering it.

Peter: No. There wasn't time. I had put the phone on the side of the bath, but the bath is empty. Hang on. [flushing sound] 

Richard (of RBB): Sorry. Bad timing on my behalf. Go wash your hands and clean your phone. Bye.

Peter: Bye. I'll try and do a post later today.

* * *

Okay, that didn't really work out as planned. I guess I'd better get a bit of practice done.

Ciao tutti.

* That's bullshit!

Sabato.

 I slept in. Beh, è Sabato!

I'm working very hard at applying my violin Habits to my four unaccompanied tunes. I want to be able to swap easily between the tune, chords and arpeggios. It takes a bit of practice - knowing the tune and chord progression thoroughly. I'll hopefully get some double bass practice done today too.

This evening we have the Super Rugby Pacific final. I don't really care who wins, but I like these two guys.

Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie

May the better team on the day win. Hey, I know Robert will say it's just grown men throwing a ball around and touching each other, but he's actually getting confused and thinking of Brother Benedict.

'Bennie the B', as students sometimes called him, used to enjoy kicking a ball, at short range, as hard as he could at his 11 and 12 year old rugby players. He thought it was funny. He never managed to hit me, but he did get his hand up my pants a few times.

I haven't got much planned for today but tomorrow will be busy. I have a brunch with Nef (my daughter) and her friends and then I'm big boy sitting for about four hours. It'll be great to catch up with my best pal Harrison. Nef intends to come around and help. Shelley will be there too, so I reckon the three of us can sort him out. (A bit of a joke there.) Well, I mean, his dad sometimes calls him Hurricane Harrison! Ah, but we all love him dearly and it will be great to spend time with him. 

The guy who likes to be called The Curmudgeon never proofreads what he writes, "but It doesn't mean that I have to become involved." Well, I'm only trying to help. He doesn't need that capital 'I' after 'but'. 

Okay, okay, Rob's grammar is often worse. Here's an example.

"Have fun and don't sin (if you do go to confession and get back on the path to the Kingdom and righteousness)." 

Is he telling us to not sin if you're going to confession? I think what he meant to say would be clearer if he had put a comma after 'if you do'.

Ah well, I'm only trying to help.

That's it from me this morning.

Ciao tutti.

Matariki.

 

I was at a farewell function for a friend, at my old school, last evening and a Maori friend asked me what I was doing for Matariki. I replied, "I don't know."

I just read this, "As the midwinter sky darkens over Aotearoa, a cluster of shimmering stars begins to rise in the early morning horizon — marking the arrival of Matariki 2025. Falling on Friday, 20 June, this special day is now recognised as a national public holiday, offering all New Zealanders a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters."

That's nice. I like that. I'll do my best to comply with that.

I've been getting both my violin and double bass practice done. As well as doing my 'Atomic Habits', I'm working on four solo (unaccompanied) pieces for both instruments. For the double bass I have four original pieces - Almost Blues, Gypsy Feet, SMD and Sii Gentile. For the violin I have two original pieces - The Accordion Lady and The Immigrants, and two others - Manha de Carnaval and The Orange Blossom Special.

Most cleaners probably wouldn't like these pieces and would not choose to listen to them at morning tea. Hey, that's okay. Everyone to their own. For the violin pieces, I'm presenting them in the style that a solo jazz guitarist would probably use - dropping in chords and arpeggios, but being careful to give the melody full attention. This is where those Atomic Habits really pay off, as chords and arpeggios are two things that I practise daily.

* * *

So, what are the other bloggers up to lately around here?

Robert - nothing.

Peter - writing some interesting posts on world affairs. Good on him.

* * *

So, Matariki is a time to, "pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters." I like that and I will respect the sentiments of this time.

Ciao tutti.

The blog that's not popular with cleaners.

 Good morning. 

I'll have to make this fairly quick this morning because I have to be places a little later on this morning.

A place I don't have to be at
a little later this morning.

I'm sure that there are people who are quite happy reading this blog. It seems that cleaners are not among these people. One of them wrote, "Robert sits having a coffee in the staff cafe. He's reads part of RBBs blog to Tau. She shows no interest apart from a polite chuckle and puts on some Pacific Island music. It starts with a trumpet call."

I must admit that I don't listen to a lot of Pacific Island music, and I don't know whether Robert is referring to a European style trumpet or some form of traditional Pacific Island horn. 

I do know that they use this instrument.

This is not a traditional
Pacific Island instrument
and the way the notes are
'placed' comes from Europe.

Hey, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with cultures progressing their art forms by borrowing from other cultures. The instruments I have at home were not invented in Aotearoa, but I was. Though it is good to acknowledge the overseas influences on the music you like to immerse yourself in. When you use a guitar, a tempered instrument, your 'traditional' music is going to have to adjust. It's going to have to be quite a bit more European.

So, how does all this fit in with reading, and enjoying, Richard's Bass Bag*?

It doesn't really. 

Hey, but maybe Tau was a bit fast to judge? Maybe morning tea wasn't the best time to be ignoring your workmates and putting your thoughts into reading? I don't know. Maybe the blog just wasn't Tau's cup of tea. No morning tea pun intended.

Well, Robert is a cleaner too. So far, as far as I know, 2/2 cleaners have not liked this blog.

Maybe I just need to issue a warning?

Caution! This blog it not recommended for cleaners!

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Though, on the positive side, it does seem to get people listening to different styles of music.

Ciao tutti.

* the original bass bagging site

Free zing? No, I paid.

I bought a heat her (and hopefully him). It is bigger and more powerful. You can feel heat coming from this machine.

Double bass will be my first job today. Tomorrow I have work, so there will be less time. Then violin, as usual.

I don't remember the last time Rob commented on this blog (actually, it was 11/6). Normally the little 'avatar' that comes with the message can be clicked on to reach the sender's blog. See the little yellow face at the top?

It doesn't work on Rob's one. This makes it nearly impossible to reach his blog from my phone. Ah, maybe he doesn't want visitors and he's really just writing to Jesus and Mary. Beh, mi ne frega una sega.

Poor old TC only got one comment on his last post. He likes to skite about his overseas readers, yet he struggles to get comments. I've decided to ring him to see if I could help.

Ring, ring, ring.

TC: Hi Richard. This is quite an early call for you!

Richard (of RBB): Hi Peter. I just wanted to ask you about your blog. A few posts back you put up a table that shows you getting tremendous readership around the world. You even criticised Poland for only giving you 1.91k of readership or looking at your blog. Shit with holes in it!

TC: Did you mean to say, "Holy shit!"?

Richard (of RBB): But you say that 123k Americans are looking at your blog?

TC: That's the number.

Richard (of RBB): Wouldn't you think that even just one of these 123,000 people might leave a comment? That's the sort of shit that comes from a bull!

TC: Did you mean, "Bullshit!"? I think those Yankees prefer to talk about my blog among their friends.

Richard (of RBB): Your last post has one comment and guess who wrote it. Me! God's mother is full of holes!

TC: Did you mean, "Holy mother of God!"? Are these phrases you are screwing up Wainuiomata jokes?

Richard (of RBB): I feel like time is becoming just like my waist as we talk!

TC: Do you feel like you're wasting your time here? Sheesh! I'll certainly be giving Wainuiomata a wide berth when I make it back to Wellington!

Richard (of RBB): You can't get to Wainuiomata by boat.

TC: Sheesh! What did they teach you in 3G in 1966? My blog is interesting. That's why many people overseas like to take a look. I bet they don't look at your bass shopping bag!

Richard (of RBB): From what I understand, only one person in Wainuiomata looks at your blog. That's me! I bet that the same situation is in place in Moera, though the looks would be much less common. 

TC: I prefer to work with facts. That's what they taught us in 3P. Though, they did go on about all that religious nonsense. Mea culpa. Anyway, I've got a meal to plan. Crum baked asparagus and cheese pie with homemade chips. I'll probably do a post on it. The readers in France and Sweden will like that. Get back to your post and try to make it more interesting. PLEASE, no more rambling on about your violin practice! Bye.

Richard (of RBB): Bye.

Well, I guess I might as well just go and practise.

Ciao tutti.

Free Zing!

 I got up this morning expecting to pay for a zing, but then I realised it was free. Free zing!

The little heater is doing its best as I write.

I'm going to see my grandsons today. Mr. H V Prowse is two months old today, but still not writing blog posts. I'm sure that Mr. H R Prowse is though.

I see that Rob is having a good time in Napier but is struggling with the difference between 'their' and 'they're'.  "They're food was delicious also and we had a mock cocktail each."

Well, it's good that he's having a good time and isn't quoting those silly old biblical guys.

I hope Peter enjoyed the 'free zing' joke.

"Yes, very good!"

He grew up (in 3P) learning only Latin, all about communion hosts and reading books with big words. They never taught humour in 3P. I'm trying to help him before he returns to Wellington after 'yeras' in the Rei. I thought it best to start him on Nui style jokes and we can gradually work up from there. I do need to keep him away from Moera grammar though. 'They're grandma' is quite different in Moera.

Here's a joke for Peter to finish the post in style.

A man is walking down the road. He has a banana inserted in one of his ears. A passer-by asks, "Excuse me sir, do you know that you have a banana in your ear?" The man replies, "Sorry, I can't hear you. I have a banana in my ear."

Ciao tutti.

Sabato.

 I really have nothing to report this morning, but when has that stopped me writing a post?

Rob is in Napier. I hope he's having a good time.

Peter is in Whangarei, I hope he's having a good time.

I'm in the Nui* and just finishing my coffee.

My coffee is finished now.

I'm trying to build up my double bass practice at the moment. I was a bit lazy yesterday and only did 30 minutes on the violin (as well as some double bass practice). Never mind, I can catch up today. 

The rain has stopped and I'm 'downstairs' at the computer (obviously) with my silly little heater going. I'm wearing a jacket. I'm still half in my pyjamas, but half sort of dressed. I really have no plans for today, except a trip to the supermarket and practice. One of our trees has been blown over, so I need to hire someone to take out that tree and three others. It's worth getting professionals in because they'll take the cut down trees away. I'll get onto that sooner rather than later. 

Shelley and I are going to see our grandsons tomorrow. That will be nice. Aunty will be there too and, of course, mum and dad.

Peter seemed to imply, in his last post, that we need more humour on the blogs.

Okay then, here are some great jokes to liven you all up.

Have you heard about those new corduroy pillows? They're making headlines.

I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me.

I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.

A guy asked his date to meet him at the gym, but she never showed up. I guess the two of them aren't going to work out.

What is the least spoken language in the world? Sign language.

I'm reading a horror story in Braille. Something bad is going to happen, I can just feel it.

What has four wheels and flies? A rubbish truck.

Shelley was putting on her makeup. I told her that she drew her eyebrows too tight. She seemed surprised.

* * *

Ha, ha, ha! Hey, no need for thanks. I suppose that I'd better finish getting dressed. I bet that Peter liked the jokes!

See you soon.

Ciao tutti.

* Wainuiomata, where the girls are smarter.

Boy, I'm glad I'm not a catholic!

I just read Rob's latest post - 'No lustful looks when dating please'. Rob would say that, once you're baptised, you're always a catholic. Well, I just ripped what was left of my baptism right off! I'm not quoting from his latest post here. If you want to read it, you'll find his name in our LINKS list. I'm just glad to have absolutely nothing to do with that church!

I did my minimal requirement of one hour on the violin yesterday and fifteen minutes on the double bass. I feel a need to keep my double bass practice up. A fellow musician was moaning to me, the other day, about how difficult she found it to understand the tritone substitution. She plays trombone. On an instrument like the bass or the guitar it's rather easy to understand the tritone substitution. Here's an explanation, in case Pete and Rob are struggling with this too. 

Instead of playing Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7 (II V7 I), all you do is move the roots down chromatically - Dm7 - Db7 - Cmaj7. The G7 notes (G B D F) get replaced by Db F Ab Cb. (Db could also be thought of as C# and Cb could be thought of as B).

So, you still have the 3rd and 7th of G7. The other two notes could be seen as the b9 (Ab) and the #4 (C#) of G7. That's pretty simple. When this chord happened, a trombonist could just play the 3rd and the 7th. Or the trombonist could just shut up (stop playing).

I'll do some more double bass today - remember those Atomic Habits.

Peter is writing some good posts on the state of the world - quite frightening really. How do selfish idiots like Trump, Putin and Netanyahu get to be in charge?

I'm presently halfway through reading Jacinda Ardern's book 'A DIFFERENT KIND OF POWER'.

I'd recommend it to everyone. Throughout the book you're subtly surrounded by empathy and kindness. Why can't world leaders be like her?

Ah well, that's me for this morning.

As Rob sort of says, at the end of his post, "Have fun and keep your clothes on, unless you're having a shower, going swimming, having a colonoscopy or getting changed."

Ciao tutti.

I woke up this morning.

 Okay, okay, a lot of blues songs start with that line - I woke up this morning.

When I woke up this morning, I picked up my phone and checked out the blogs.

Nothing new from Peter. A big surprise!                      NOT.

Rob wrote this, "Anyone who calls his brother 'fool' or 'renegrade' could answer for it in hell fire." As I continued to wake up, I wondered about the word 'renegrade'. I can promise you right now, I will never call Rob a renegrade because there is no such word in the English language. That means that I only have a 50% chance of going to hell!

Actually, there might be a little known band called Renegrade who wrote a song called 'Look at the World'. 

Listen HERE.

Maybe Rob likes that band with the misspelt name?

I looked them up.

"Renegade is an American rock n' roll band composed of Luis Cardenas, Kenny Marquez and Tony De La Rosa. Although all the band members hail from the United States, the band were among the most successful Hispanic or "Chicano rock" acts founded in the United States during the 1980s."

Oops, Sorry Rob, it looks like whoever put their song on Youtube misspelled their name. It wasn't you, was it, Rob?

Nothing to tell you about violin practice this morning. Sorry.

I must do some double bass practice at some point. 

I'm not working today (or tomorrow). Maybe Shelley and I will go to a movie, or something? We're not needed for big boy and baby sitting at the moment. We haven't seen H R and H V Prowse for over two weeks. Fortunately, we see lots of pictures on our chat app. I think we might be catching up with OUR first baby over the weekend. That would be nice.

I bought a new heater. It was cheap and is pretty useless. Never mind, I now wear a jacket when I come down here to post. 'Come down here' means that I go down two steps into what originally was a garage. That's where our computer lives. Actually, thje little heater is better than nothing. 

I guess that's it from me. I certainly haven't been a renegrade today!

Shau tooti*.

* I spelt that incorrectly to make Rob feel better. What a nice big brother I am!

No damn jam!

 

I didn't make it to the bluegrass jam. The old time jam guy learning songs came first. I gave up just before it finished. There were six of us when things got underway. Three banjos, one guitar, one fiddle and an acoustic bass guitar. One of the banjo players had a stack of songs he wanted to try learn and the 90 minute session involved people playing along while this guy tried to get his very simple songs right. A couple of people disappeared outside and a little play along / chat session seemed to develop out there. I left ten minutes before the bluegrass jam was due to start. Enough time wasted. Hey, a jam is where a group of musicians play tunes that everybody has had a chance to contribute to.

At least I have that art exhibition gig coming up! I found out that it doesn't really go for 6 or 7 nights. There is the opening night, where I play, then I'm welcome to come back and play in the gallery while the exhibition is on, which I will. 

We need a picture on this post.

No, this is not me cooking sausages.
It's just a random picture.

Here's another random picture.

According to Rob, these pictures will not induce as much hostility as spiritual things.

Well, Rob, that was quite a comment you left on my last post.

"I heard an account of an exorcism. There were several people including a protestant minister. The Catholics all went to confession before hand; but the protestant minister said he had no need as he went straight to God. In due course the exorcism began. Prayers were said and the first minor demon was easily expelled. The next demon was a higher level one. Satan is called the accuser because he loves to tell God about our sins. Anyway the demon looked at all the people present and was frustrated at finding no sin until he came to the protestant minister. The demon rapidly shouted 300 sins the minister had on his soul. Then another 300 more, followed by yet another 300!"

So, the poor old Protestant minister was carrying around 900 sins. Gosh, I'm probably carrying around more! I hate to think how many Peter might be carrying around! Mr. Linford would have been okay because he probably went to confession. I wonder if leaving the jam personal practice session early was a sin? I suspect that this 'rant' was written by a catholic. Why do they have it in for Protestants? They both believe in the same god. Hell! Rob even is happy to take money off them by cleaning their church - or is that a Presbyterian church? Though Presbyterians would be racking up sins too because they probably don't go to confession. 

"Satan is called the accuser because he loves to tell God about our sins." Actually, it sounds like Satan* might have written this rant because the author is telling god about the poor old Protestant's sins. 

"Ha, ha, ha, ha! Who's next?"

That's it from me.

Ciao tutti.

* not our ex-cat of the same name