NOTHING.

A jam can be a good thing.

 

The door to one of our bedrooms in our house needs a bit of fixing because it tends to jam. This has turned out to be a good thing because, when our elder grandson comes visiting, like he did yesterday, we can put valuable or dangerous items in the room and he can't get his hands on those things. I'm talking about things like:

• a violin or two,
• a little glass prism with sharp edges,
• amplifiers with knobs that are fun to turn,
• two vases,
• a plant with long leaves,
• a music stand with my music on it,
• a clock that looks like a motorcycle,
• you get the idea.

I went to a different type of jam yesterday. A music jam. 

I took my violin and Shelley came too. It was the first time at a different venue, in Moera, for the old-time music and Bluegrass jams. No other jammers had arrived, and no one arrived until well after 2pm. Shelley and I had a lovely chat with the guy who runs the jam and who we both know well. Two blokes arrived and the first tune was played at about 2.45pm. One had brought a banjo and a guitar and the other a violin. The guy who runs the jam plays an acoustic bass guitar. The guy who had the banjo tuned it to a C chord and informed us that he could play in C and G. Pretty limiting. The violinist got out his violin and he and the banjo player started to play. It was obvious that both of them needed to do much more practice. They played two very repetitive 'tunes' that seemed to use one and a half chords. How do you play half a chord? You'd have to ask the banjo player. The violinist sounded very scratchy. He obviously doesn't do long bow practice. I decided not to join in because I'm sure I would have drowned him out and I didn't want to be a showoff. 

Instead I thought of how I could be home and practising. Doing something useful. I put my violin in its case and made an excuse to leave. Maybe they thought I was scared off by their wonderful playing? I really don't care what they thought, I just wanted to get out of Moera and return home. Actually, the facilities in Moera were very nice - a community house, a smaller house-like structure, a hall and a library. The library was closed but all the other facilities were being well used. I wouldn't mind betting that there could have been a performance of Handel's Messiah later in the afternoon.

I was hoping to get the back lawn tidied up today but the weather forecast predicts rain. I'll keep an eye on the weather over the next few hours. 

I heard that it is supposed to be wet on Christmas day. No big deal really.

Though we do have our son's in-laws coming around now. Ah well, all good.

I guess that's about all from me for today.

Non dimenticare di esercitarti con il violino. Ricordati di fare quegli archi lunghi.

Ciao.

You read it here first!

 Route of Kelburn cable car to be moved!

It has been revealed that the Kelburn cable car is to be taken off its present route and will run from Thorndon to the Wellington railway station. A bus on a long rope will take over the Kelburn route.

See, you hear things first on Richard's Bass Bag.*

As I've already told you, I'm off to a jam (two actually) this afternoon. The old-time music jam followed by the Bluegrass jam. To be honest, the first jam is really more about people trying to learn to play their instrument. It should really be called, "Learn this tune that you have music in front of you for." Normally, in a jam, someone calls a tune and you all have a go at playing it. Usually most people get a chance to call at least one tune. Ah well, we'll see what happens.

I did some good practice yesterday, but I must squeeze some double bass practice in soon.

I cut our big front lawn yesterday. Not bad for a sick guy. I'll have a break today and do the back lawn tomorrow. We're out to a birthday party dinner tomorrow night in Wellington and, on Tuesday, I get to spend the entire morning in Hutt Hospital getting a fusion. 8.30am start. Life is never dull. 

It looks like it could be wet on Christmas day. No big deal.

H & H are coming around in the morning. H. Prowse and H. Prowse. I'll spend time being led around by H (though he's a bit of a grandma's boy at the moment) and I'll have some cuddles with H. Aunty Tef will show up at some time too. A while back I showed H a picture of Shelley and I when we were in our thirties. I pointed to me and he said, "Grandad!" I pointed to Shelley and he said, "Aunty Tef!" Well, there you go. Little ones make mistakes too. My older brother recently got asked by one of his grandsons if he was alive when dinosaurs were around.

Only six hours before the jam as I write. I'll do some practice this morning. I might also pop out and get some new work gloves. I had a bit of an accident yesterday while mowing the lawns. I was mowing under a very low hanging tree and managed to knock the oil cap off the lawnmower. Oil went everywhere, including all over my work gloves. I'd better check on how much lawnmower oil I have too. 

You might wonder if it is confusing having two grandsons with the initials H.P. Well, among my siblings there are three with the initials R.P. In Peter's family they all have President Trump's first name. Should I have used the term 'Christian name'? Is there a Saint Donald in the one true Catholic church? Only that ex-blogger Bob would know for sure. I'm sure he won't be reading this. 

Well, that's about it for this morning from me.

State lontani dalle chiese.

Ciao.

* the original bass bagging site

Arrivederci Roberto.

 

A shot from Sheesh?

The blogger often known as Bob and his discombobulate Bobadilish has removed links (pathways) to his blog. He can visit us, but we can't find a link to his blog(s). I added the 's' because he has also made a copy of The Curmudgeon's blog. I think he uses AI to change what TC has written. Hey, I don't want to sound like someone who uses calumny. On his last post, that we could visit, he posted an AI picture of himself sucking up to a presumably 14 year old mother of Jesus. 

I don't know why he would want to write a blog that no one can read. Hey, maybe lots of Catholics are allowed to read it? Anyway, only TC and yours truly are left in our little blogging community, a community that I think I kicked off in 2007. 

Ah well, it's time to get more violin practice done. 

I pensieri non hanno alcun valore finché non vengono condivisi.

Ciao tutti.

Saturday.

 

A nice day in the Nui.

Yesterday was a busy day.

I used my new little weedeater to tidy up the front of our section. Then, later in the afternoon, I picked up Harrison from childcare and Shelley and I stayed at his house until 7pm to help mum and dad get the two boys fed, settled and into bed. Violin practice? I only did 1/2 an hour. Oops!

Okay, although there are still lawns to be cut, I think I'd better make violin practice a priority this morning. There are only twelve days before my Xmas Eve 'gig' now. Although I could do without this gig, it's good to have a goal to practise for. I think I'll go to the 'old time music and Bluegrass jam' tomorrow. It is actually being held in Moera tomorrow because there was a fire in the normal venue in Alicetown. The first part of the jam (2pm to 3.30pm) is for 'old time music'. This is evidently music that was played in parts of America many years ago. The people who go to it seem to be there to learn tunes rather than jam. It's a bit of a waste of time, but I think I'll turn up for it anyway. The Bluegrass part (3.30pm to 5pm) is generally of a better quality. Who knows, I may even get to play the OBS! Anyway, it's good to have a reason to take my violin out. 

Peter is off to see (or listen to) Handel's Messiah this evening. It'll be a nice night in Wellington, so he shouldn't need that racoon hat.

I'm not really into going to Classical music concerts. Though an opera could be an interesting experience. Lucky Peter is evidently going to Italy next year to see some operas. Actually, it's a while since I have been to any sort of concert. No big deal really.

Well, that's about it from me.

Non sottovalutare mai la necessità di avere un bagno.

Ciao.

My intention was to say nothing.

My intention was to not comment on other blogs this morning.

Then I read this on Bob's latest Bobadilish...

"I wonder how RBB will rate this blog. Probably say with calumny that I used AI. So it goes."

I admit that I had to look up the word 'calumny'. "A misrepresentation intended to harm another's reputation."

I think you did that to yourself, Bob, with that self-proclaimed AI picture you posted at the end of your post. Creepy! Don't worry, I won't be showing it here. 

* * *

Moving right quickly along.

Lawns in the Nui are growing very fast.

Little yellow flowers are sprouting on lawns all over the Nui. I need to tidy my lawns and I need to use my weedeater. Unfortunately my daughter has it at present. Yesterday I bought another one. It only cost $119 and these weedeaters work really well. So, if the weather holds, I'll be out there for a while today.

I'm practising, but nothing like three hours a day. More like 1 to 1 1/2 hours a day. Still, I'm moving along. Those chord progressions I'm memorising are getting better. I'll use nine tunes on that Christmas Eve dinner gig. That'll be enough - about 45 minutes. I'll save Anthropology for another day. That leaves me with The Accordion Lady, my Irish Medley, The Orange Blossom Special, Nature Boy, The Immigrants, Romance, Manha de Carnaval, Sweet Georgia Brown and Oh Lady Be Good. That's a bit of a blow, as we say in jazz. Hey, and I won't be using AI on any of these tunes.

Christmas is getting close. No big deal really.

I think it'll be pretty quiet here, but we'll get to see our children and grandchildren. That'll keep me happy. I'm picking up my elder grandson on most weekdays from childcare at the moment. Boy, can he talk! The little guy is only two years and 8 1/2 months old. He was happy to get into my car because he knew that the new car seat was for him and, "Not Henry." Henry is his darling little brother who is eight months old. Boys! 

Well, I'll wrap it up there.

If you've got any sense, you'll stay right away from the 'one true Catholic church'.

Chi va piano va sano e va lontano. E arriva in ritardo.

What's happening around the blogs?

 

Well, to be honest, what's happening 
around the blogs at the moment is
not my cup of tea.

After a 'funny' little post called "CAREFUL NOW", Peter presented us with an even smaller post titled "HANDEL'S MESSIAH TWO". It basically tells us that he and his better half are going to a performance of Handel's Messiah for a second time. 

For some reason it reminded me
of this boar ring.

Robert is going through a heavy stage of using AI to imitate Peter.

He has even copied Peter's main blog.

Rob calls this blog The Real 
Curmudgeon.

It seems that he takes posts, from Peter's blog, and rearranges them using AI.

He also wrote an AI inspired post on his own Bob's discombobulate Bobadilish about Handel writing The Messiah. That makes me want to say, "God Almighty!"

A piece of advice: 

If you're a young person who is thinking of creating a blog and who is looking for blogs to read for inspiration, STAY WELL AWAY from Rob's blogs.

Not much to report on the practice scene. I'm still working on memorizing three chord progressions that I need to have working effortlessly for three of my unaccompanied violin tunes. You'll probably remember that I'm playing for a while at a Christmas Eve dinner. I really don't know how my tunes will go down and I really don't care. These tunes are important to me. 

Well, that's about it for this morning. Good luck with your blog reading, some of the blogs I've mention could be classified as a sin.

Tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mare.

वेलकम तो ट्यूसडे

Okay, I woke around 5.30am and read Rob's latest post. As usual he was telling us stuff about 'the one true Catholic church'. To be honest, I really don't know why I bother. Then I got thinking. How different would Rob's thoughts be if he had been born in India?

That could be Rob on the left,
playing the string instrument.

I did a bit of research. Firstly, he would probably be a Hindu because Hinduism is the one true religion in India.

Here's an introduction to Hinduism:

The Basics of Hinduism:

· Origins: Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions, originating in India thousands of years ago and remains the dominant faith in India and Nepal.

· Core Beliefs: Key concepts include Brahman (the ultimate reality), Atman (the individual soul), Karma (the law of cause and effect), and Dharma (duty/ethics).

· Practices: Hinduism encompasses a variety of practices, including temple worship, scripture study, and the guru-discipline tradition.

· Diversity: The religion is characterized by a wide range of beliefs and practices, reflecting its rich cultural and philosophical heritage.

· Goals of Life: Hindus aim to achieve four goals known as Purusharthas: Dharma (duty), Artha (prosperity), Kama (pleasure), and Moksha (liberation).

Rob could clean this place.

I've got three tricky chord progressions that I've had a few problems remembering. I want to have them perfectly locked in my head. There is a technique called chunking which is supposed to help.

You break down large amounts of information into smaller manageable pieces. I've found other techniques too, which I will read about. Ah well, that'll be included in my practice for today.

I'd better go because I think I am organising a car seat for Harrison today. He's my elder grandson. I'll be driving him around a bit in future. Mum has two boys to manage.

I'll leave you there for today.

Have fun boys, but don't forget those four Purusharthas.

अलविदा।

Today is the day we remember the Immaculate Conception.

"Oops, how did I get pregnant?"

"The Immaculate Conception refers to the belief that from the moment of conception, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was preserved free from original sin. The doctrine was formerly defined by Pope Pius IX in the papal bull (yes, it's called a bull) Ineffabilis Deus on December 8, 1854, after centuries of theological debate."

Guys like St. Thomas Aquinas expressed opposition to the idea, arguing that if Mary were free from original sin, it would undermine the necessity of Christ's redemption sacrifice. For those who don't know, we all got landed with original sin because Eve bit that bloody apple. Then God had to find a way of freeing us all from it. The solution - Jesus must die on a cross. Isn't it obvious? Then he needed Jesus to be born, but he was his son, not Mary's husband's. "I know, an immaculate conception!" God thought. The rest is history.

Confusing? Well, you can probably understand why a certain Marist Brother I knew got a bit muddled. 

He'd probably be trying to sort the immaculate conception out in his head. "Okay, technically Mary is with Joseph. However, God is quite happy to plonk a baby inside her. For some reason I would love to touch little boys' cocks. Maybe this is okay too? I'm sure that God wouldn't mind. Hey, it's no more weird than having your own son crucified when all God really needed to say was, "Go away, original sin.""

There you go. That should clear a lot of things up for you.

Have fun boys and, if you need to crucify someone, that's probably okay.

Ciao tutti.

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN?

 NO.

If it's a post by The Curmudgeon, it stays up for a bloody long time!

On the other hand, Robert is posting most days. I must say, though, that his blog is well named.

Bob's discombobulate Bobadilish.

Even if you don't understand those big words, it still seems to make sense when you read posts like this morning's one.

My practice has been a bit slower lately, mainly due to me being a bit unwell, though I did manage 1 1/2 hours yesterday. That was as well as spending time with my grandsons. I'll hopefully get into some practice this morning. Then I need to fix the car seat in Shelley's car. I'm talking about a toddlers' car seat. It's too small for Peter to sit in. Those ladies with walkers at Robert's church couldn't fit into it either. Actually, I'm not fixing it for the Catholic church Christmas parade. I'm fixing it so that I can pick Harrison up from childcare when the need arises.

Well, that's it from me for this morning.

Ciao tutti.

Sabato.

 

I know you all want to hear about how my music practice is going.

Yesterday I put extra violin practice into Nature Boy, Oh Lady Be Good and The Orange Blossom Special. I'll start by running through these three tunes today and then I'll move on to three more. The idea is to give the 'new' three tunes a decent chunk of time each. Maybe I'll choose my Irish Medley, Sweet Georgia Brown and The Accordion Lady. If I have more time, I might run through Anthropology as well. That will leave Manha De Carnaval, The Immigrants and Romance. I play these tunes with no music or backing, so I really need to know them inside out.

* * *

I did read Robert's latest post. He goes on for a while about small cars. He actually has a point. When I think of speeding little cars, I immediately think, "Suzuki Swift." One point to Robert. Though he does lose that point for frequently referring to the Presbyterian's hall. Though, in his latest post, he referred to the Prybeterian's halls. I guess that's another point lost for not proofreading. Just to clear things up, the Presbyterian's hall would belong to one Presbyterian. I think he means, "The Presbyterians' hall." Note where the possessive apostrophe is.

* * *

Well, I'm going to have to go. I've just been informed that my two grandsons are coming around this morning. That will require some preparation. Obviously, my violin will not be left sitting on the couch. I'll vacuum too and remove a few delicate ornaments.

Have a good day.

Ciao tutti.

Big Arse.

 Oops, sorry, I meant to say, "Big cars."

I read Peter's latest post and agree with his sentiment.

"Having a carpark in a parking garage beneath the apartment block we are living in I'm reminded again how large modern cars are - unnecessarily so."

Frankly, I have always thought that Noddy had the right idea

and I've followed his example.

My Nissan Note does basically everything you need a car to do. Hey, no problem putting a double bass in it.

These days most people drive their car like it is some sort of contest. As many of you know, you drive over a hill to get out of Wainuiomata. Most drivers treat it like a racetrack. As I drive to the bottom of the hill, at 50kph, I can see them lining up behind me. Once the two lanes of the hill road appear, they're off. Zoom, zoom, zoom. The next time I see them is in a queue, at the other end of the hill, waiting for the traffic lights to change. They are a few cars ahead of me. It must be depressing being caught up to by a slow driver like me. 

Most truck drivers seem to be in a big hurry too and don't seem to care that the speed limit for trucks is 90kph. This is basically because trucks take longer to stop. The rule is there to save lives.

I really need to get some quality practice done today. In twenty days I will be playing at a Christmas Eve dinner. I'm just going to play my 10 unaccompanied violin pieces, obviously with no backing tracks. It'll be a bit of a test. I'm sure that not everybody present will like my tunes. "Why can't he play some Neil Diamond?" "We need some Christmas music!" "I don't know these tunes." "I'll suggest to him, after he finishes, that he should learn some Ed Sheeran tunes. That's the stuff that people like to hear."

Well, they are getting me for free AND they asked me to play, knowing what I play.

That's it for this morning. 

Ciao tutti.

Around the blogs today.

 

Oops, sorry, that's a bog. Ah well, near enough.

Nothing worth reporting.

The only two 'active' blogs are on our LINKS list as The Curmudgeon and Robert. Read at your own risk of severe boredom.

I might make a trip to the supermarket shortly, then I'll do some work on that new tune I added to my unaccompanied violin repertoire - Anthropology. Obviously I'll practise other things as well. 

Christmas is getting close. Not a big deal for me.

Now that's a big deal!

I'll probably finish up spending time with the immediate family, but nothing is planned yet. Both Nef and The Judge are getting ready to move houses and the time before 'the big day' is getting pretty short. Personally, I don't think that The Judge's new place will be ready. I've booked a furniture van to move Nef on the 20th.

Okay, supermarket time. I'm getting it done early because I have to visit Harrison's daycare centre this afternoon. 

I think that, on his latest post, Rob implied that it's okay to sin today. 

He signed off with this.

"Have fun blah blah blah..."

Ciao tutti.

I'm sorry but lately The Curmudgeon is getting the word 'ciao' confused with 'chow'. Just take it with a grain of salt - he'll be using more than a grain.

"Home is the sailor, home from the sea,

 And the hunter home from the hill."

Peter has a new house and he is now back where it all started from.

Wellington.

Contrary to popular thought, he will not be living in Moera or Wainuiomata. He will be making his bed in Thorndon.

The city is just a short walk away. I'm sure he will be checking that the cap is tightly on his water bottle inside his bag. He certainly will not want any more wet walking experiences. Though it does rain quite a bit in Thorndon. Maybe purchase an umbrella but leave the Davy Crockett hat at home.

Well done, Peter!

AND ROBERT IS BACK!

His new post finishes with some advice, "Have fun and work at prayer. If you have sinned repent and get to confession."

There's a sign on a local Wainui church that says, "kNOw God kNOw Peace."

Rob could probably borrow that slogan. Mind you, the church is not a Catholic church. He might be better off cleaning "the Protestant's church." Hey, that guy must be a rich Protestant to have his own church!

Ah well, I'll have to leave you there for this morning because I'm off to work. I think it's my last day for the year. It's pissing down outside. I'll take an umbrella, just like I advised Peter to do. 

Ciao tutti and well done again, Peter! Just go easy on the vino tonight.

Peter's favourite drop.

Two left (again).

 

Still here.

Still here.

Can you guess who has closed down again (blog wise)?

BORING!

Yes, we know he'll probably be back, just like we know that Peter won't buy a house in Moera or Wainuiomata*.

Just like we know that Richard won't be taking up the lute.

Just like we know that Robert likes to use AI but not spellcheck.

Just like we know not to expect really interesting stuff on Peter's blog posts. When, and if, they finally happen.

Hey, that's life.

Ciao.

* Where the girls are smarter.

CHRISTMAS LETTER 2025.

 

Okay, let’s get down to business – month by month. Well, almost.

January to February, I really only remember one thing…

Those bloody bells!

Okay, I know, I do practise my violin a lot, and my double bass. A neighbour even told me that a violin should be practised in a shed. He compared the ‘noise’ to a drummer practising, “Boom, boom, tacka tacka tacka tacka tacka tacka, boom, boom, crash.” I guess my violin is more, “Screech, screech, screech.” All good, it’s his point of view, but for me it’s those bloody bells! I tell you, we just don’t need them in our neighbourhood. They go on all night too!

March. I needed some respite, so I moved into a hospitable residence in Lower Hutt for eight nights, leaving Shelley home alone. It wasn’t really that quiet, but it seemed to help. I started taking a few pills. On March 31^st. a very special friend of mine had a birthday and Shelley and I attended the celebrations. Aunty Tef (aka Steph) was there too. Harrison got a 2 added to the other numbers in his age. Actually, from memory, he doesn’t have any other numbers. Still, he can beat me in a race AND a wrestle.

April. I thought my life was settling down, and the bells, which had really annoyed me, were less obvious. Then, out of the blue, on April 15^th., a guy named Henry showed up. It seems that we’re related because we share the same surname. He’s actually a very nice guy and I think we’ll become very good friends. I often call him Prowsey. I’ve sung to him and he really seems to like my singing. That’s weird! Hey, I’m definitely not a singer!

May, June, July, August, September. Hey, ‘not too bad’. Actually, I hate that saying. Why can’t people say, “Pretty good.”?

October, November. The bloody bells started up again! “Ding, dong, ding, dong.” They seemed to get even louder! It’s not quite December as I write.

Will those bells get any louder?

Hang on. I think I might have screwed up. Just a sec, while I check a few spellings.

This is what can happen when you spend quite a bit of time reading blog posts where grammar and proofreading don't get taken seriously.

Oops, I meant ‘bowel’.

What I meant to say is that I’ve struggled with Bowel Disease this year. I’m still trying to get onto the correct meds, but it all seems to take a long time. Longer than the time that should be put into proofreading.

Huge thanks and love to Shelley and the family, who have put up with my little problems.

At least I get to wear the same underwear as my two grandsons. (Nappies.)

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Shelley and I hope you’re all keeping well.

If you’ve got a neighbour who has a noisy bell, remember to be kind.

December begins.

 I woke at 5.30am and read Peter's new post.   

Nope. Again, he didn't write one.

Robert's post was late this morning too, but at least he wrote one.

Cowboy, cowboy Robert.
King of the wild frontier.

I'm off to work today. I have to play at a prizegiving tonight (4th. violin, I think) and we have a practice at lunchtime. That means that I will drive to Trentham and back twice today. Maybe they need me with the firsts or seconds? It seems like a long way to go just to join the 4th. violins. Ah well.

Talking about violins, I did 1 1/2 hours of practice yesterday and intend to do at least that much again today. I have a 'gig' on Christmas Eve. Actually, it's just playing at a friend's dinner gathering. My plan is not to use a backing track and just to play my nine unaccompanied pieces. I think that will be enough for them. Hey, that's about 45 minutes of playing! Anyway, I'm sure that not everyone there will like my repertoire. Hard luck for them.

I'm wondering if the guy from Pro Wash will turn up to finish our house clean today. I've already paid him, so maybe he won't. This is the company who got me called an ingenue by Peter.

"We Northerners take more care when engaging contractors to do work around our houses. We expect detailed invoices and that work is completed to an acceptable standard. It seems that you Lower Hutt ingenues are still at the mercy of trade cowboys." said Peter.

I guess I'll have to ring them this afternoon. Said the ingenue.

Well, that's it from me for December 1st. I have written my 2025 Christmas Letter and maybe I'll post it here soon.

Best of luck for December. Don't waste time worrying about sin.

Ciao tutti.

LATER THAT SAME DAY...

2.40pm.

The young man who cleaned our house has just shown up to finish the job!

That must mean that I'm not an ingenue!

I'm probably as good as a Northerner!

AND I don't wear silly hats!

"I do, but I am from the far North."

Does this qualify Peter as being an ingenue?

"Welcome aboard, Peter."