|
|
Post by The Chubbster™ on Apr 10, 2013 11:56:12 GMT
Believe it or not, I’m an eternal optimist; (I just love moaning as well) But in the spirit of being the exact opposite of my thread below, I shall now endeavour to lift everyone’s spirits, and I hope some people join in…..
So my first tale is a personal one that springs from 3 weeks ago. I had a gig playing the piano/singing for a couple’s 60th Wedding Anniversary Party (Yes, 60 years married, can you believe that?) at a small public house in Upper Beading. I was told before hand the gentleman who’s anniversary it was has alzheimer’s and not to worry in the slightest as he doesn't remember anything, but if I could make him smile that would be a huge bonus.
Having seen alzheimer’s and it’s effects first hand in the past in my own family, I knew that certain memories always stay with you, so I asked his 2 son’s what music he used to like. Apparently he used to play the piano himself, and likes his old time boogie piano. Now I can play my fair share of "old" music don't get me wrong, but not being a specialist old time boogie woogie piano player myself, there was little I could actually play specifically for him, but in my second half did my best to play a boogie version of Glenn Millers “In The Mood” on the piano just for him after they had all finished eating. Not only did he recognize it, he preceded to play the piano himself on the table in an attempt to play along with me, making all of his family members delighted that he could remember, and I was told later making the entire party worth while.
For that, the 2 hours they paid me for turned into 5 hours (and quite a bit of free drink to sooth the sore throat), and every moment was a pleasure.
That’s my happy story for today. Slightly self publicizing I’m aware of that and I do apologize. But many times I get asked why I live the life and follow the career I do. I hope this helps to shed some light.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2013 15:40:30 GMT
Every day I count my blessings and my daughter just popped round to say my granddaughter has passed her driving theory test. I have been sponsoring her and shelled out for 30 lessons so far so it looks like it's going to be worth while.
Simple things like seeing the buds forming on our magnolia tree ready for spring.....there are so many I could list. "Whiskers on kittens", dining out once a week etc..etc.
Trouble is, the more you enjoy it the more life seems to whizz by. Bar billiards is partly to blame, which is why I can't let it go on at this rate for too much longer: If I give up and lapse into boredom, time will seem to drag more, at least that's my theory: Stop the world I want to get off ! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by milko on Apr 10, 2013 16:28:57 GMT
Certain people can make me happy...
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2013 16:51:01 GMT
Have you ever been tickled, Keith ? ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by milko on Apr 10, 2013 17:04:39 GMT
Have you ever been tickled, Keith ? ;D Quite a few times Clive but it's not very nice in the morning when you wake up with a hangover. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by BigPhilMac on Apr 10, 2013 17:17:33 GMT
Having a good old miserable rant ;D also winning a game of billiards and winning well
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2013 12:45:45 GMT
Some of the biggest highs of recent years for me involve concerts - the Van der Graaf reunion concert at the Royal Festival Hall, Caravan returning to their spiritual home at Canterbury, and Little Boots Xmas 2009 at Shepherds Bush.
Then there's Wimbledon's triumphant return to the Football League having had the club 'stolen' and moved to M.K. and having to completely start again from scratch. Five promotions in just nine years.
Yes, I like 'esoteric' things...........
But for a simple pleasurable moment that put a huge smile on my face I only have to turn the clock back 24 hours: Having taken my mum on her weekly shopping run, and killed an hour wandering around town, I wended my way back via the paths leading round the back of Horsham parish church, and suddenly came face to face with .........a squirrel ! The little chap stared at me in anticipation, and then suddenly made a grab at something by my feet and sat up on his haunches, nibbling away. I turned round and there was an old boy on a mobility scooter, throwing food out of a paper bag.
"I had some Christmas cake left over" quoth he, "another one will come out in a minute".
Sure enough, another one, presumably Mrs Squirrel, appeared from out of the rhododendrons, and the two of them sat side by side, merrily feasting on the kind old boy's offerings.
Next week I shall remember to take some pieces of fruitcake with me in my coat pocket and see if I can repeat the experience ! :D
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 30, 2013 22:11:23 GMT
Next week I shall remember to take some pieces of fruitcake with me in my coat pocket and see if I can repeat the experience ! :D Well, this has now become a weekly ritual on a Thursday (feeding fruitcake to an ever-increasing menagerie). Haven't seen the old boy in the mobility scooter since, but I have built up the clientele which now regularly consists of FIVE squirrels (two adult and three youngsters which race round and fight with each other); two pigeons which come up to me; one swooping jackdaw, and one hopping magpie. In danger of turning into Doctor Doolittle ! ::) |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2013 23:11:06 GMT
Every day I count my blessings and my daughter just popped round to say my granddaughter has passed her driving theory test. I have been sponsoring her and shelled out for 30 lessons so far so it looks like it's going to be worth while. Jessica took the main test yesterday and passed. Yippee!  Big up too to my son (the driving instructor who taught her). We have been saving for her to be able to buy a car on her 18th birthday, but now comes the problem of insurance: She will probably have to go on her dad's policy, although he's not too keen ! |
|
|
|
Post by BigPhilMac on Aug 3, 2013 10:00:48 GMT
Every day I count my blessings and my daughter just popped round to say my granddaughter has passed her driving theory test. I have been sponsoring her and shelled out for 30 lessons so far so it looks like it's going to be worth while. Jessica took the main test yesterday and passed. Yippee! Big up too to my son (the driving instructor who taught her). We have been saving for her to be able to buy a car on her 18th birthday, but now comes the problem of insurance: She will probably have to go on her dad's policy, although he's not too keen ! Excellent news there Grampy :D :D :D i remember many years ago when i passed my test, at least it feels like many years ago! Will you be avoiding as many Sussex roads as is humanly possible? ;) |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2013 11:23:31 GMT
Excellent news there Grampy :D :D :D i remember many years ago when i passed my test, at least it feels like many years ago! Will you be avoiding as many Sussex roads as is humanly possible? ;) Thanks, Phil. It's cost me a bleedin' fortune but at least I got a 'family discount' ! Her mum passed first time aged 17 as well so she should be a good little driver. Feel sorry for her having to cope amongst all the boy racers we have in Crawley, though.... |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2013 15:37:49 GMT
Excellent news there Grampy :D :D :D i remember many years ago when i passed my test, at least it feels like many years ago! Will you be avoiding as many Sussex roads as is humanly possible? ;) She's mobile ! Picked it up yesterday. ........And the car to give a wide berth to is a silver Renault Clio with a green P plate on it.  |
|
|
|
Post by BigPhilMac on Sept 5, 2013 0:10:42 GMT
Excellent news there Grampy :D :D :D i remember many years ago when i passed my test, at least it feels like many years ago! Will you be avoiding as many Sussex roads as is humanly possible? ;) She's mobile ! Picked it up yesterday. ........And the car to give a wide berth to is a silver Renault Clio with a green P plate on it. I shsnt be down the south coast til at least christmas time so plenty of time to count the old chickens! ;) |
|
Big up too to my son (the driving instructor who taught her).