debris4spike | Entries tagged with clarinet

Well it was a good weekend after all.

Work went well.

Church was good, and I was asked to join the music group for Christmas. So, I need to dig out, and dust off, my clarinet. Didn't play last year, so it's been some time since I have played much. Not worried about the notes, but do wonder how my mouth muscles and my damaged finger will cope. But, it will be nice to be able to play again.

Had a lovely time at Tim & Claire's ... lovely meal and great to just sit and relax.

Now it's Monday.

I walked into the city this morning. Bought 3 of my nephews a jumper for their respective birthdays, as well as looked at cameras. my camera has an intermittent fault, and on the ferry over to France last month I dropped it, and the lens was not 100% at the point. It worked OK, but really think I need to look at a new one. Trouble is that Nikon are changing their camera format, so I can't actually get a new upgrade on my present camera. I could buy a second hand one ... or for about 3 times the price a new one of the new format. I talked to the very helpful man, and think I shall also talk to someone when I am in London ... so, watch this space.

Right now I am here for a short time, before getting on with some more of my holiday journal.

So, before I post this -

6 – Job Action Day: It is often suggested that people should focus on finding a job that they love. Today it is suggested that you should take your passions and bring them to the job you have, i.e. find a way to instill your love and passion for a particular career into any work you come into. Do you think this is good advice?
I have always loved all my jobs.
In every job I have had there are bits that I really don’t like, but over all I have loved them.

Right, let's try and catch up with you all x

#6

In your own space, post the results of your fandom scavenger hunt. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

1. A favorite character
2. Something that makes you laugh
3. A bookshelf
4. A game or hobby you enjoy
5. Something you find comforting
6. A TV show or movie you hope more people will watch
7. A piece of clothing you love
8. A thing from an old fandom
9. A thing from a new fandom

1. Come on, look at my name. It may be the name I chose years ago, but the character of Spike (from BtVS) is still amazing ... love his story, his highs & lows ... and a great actor to portray it!

2. This is a Christmas card made by a friend. I loved the Val Kilmer version of Batman, and love Ewoks (neither of which Chis likes), but she drew this card of Val Kilmer as an Ewok ... but, didn't realise till she saw me open it, that he has 2 sets of ears ... But that just makes the card more special, and gives me a smile.

3. I have got loads & loads of books (& bookshelves), but this small section is special ... books written by my Dad (including his PhD), a poetry book of Mum's poetry, books written by French friends, a couple by one of my brothers ... and a couple written by a friend and partially dedicated to me.

4. I was brought up doing jigsaws, ans still love them. This one was a Christmas gift from a brother, and is of London ... which is a city I visit every year, and love.

5. My faith. For me I love knowing that God is in charge ... and I have a future in Heaven.

6. I rewatch a lot of shows ... most of which have been loved over the years, so hard to find one that needs more viewers. Although Blakes 7 was only ever shown on mainstream TV once, back in the 70's - 80's. I also love The Champions ... a silly show from late 60's.

7. Not a great clothes lover ... although I do still have Mum's wedding dress from 1952

8. As I just said, Blakes 7 is a long-time favourite show ... and I was a member of their fan club during the late 80's ... and this was my mug I used, now in a cabinet in my lounge

9. I tend to enjoy fan-fiction from my newer fandoms ... and these are on my Kindle (this is my one that I bought just before Christms, complete with cover

#12

In your own space, set yourself some goals for the coming year. They can be fannish or not, public or private. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

I want to get my 2 x W.I.P.s finished.

Again I am looking at doing more work on banners etc

I want to compltely re-vamp my garden. It had been an aim last year, but I had to have work done and it got completly ignored ... so that's a plan (again) this year.

I aim to get back into playing my clarinet & saxophone.

Well, I do wonder how many of those will get done!

In your own space, set yourself some goals for the coming year. They can be fannish or not, public or private. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

I want to get my 2 x W.I.P.s finished.
Again I am looking at doing more work on banners etc
I want to compltely re-vamp my garden. It had been an aim last year, but I had to have work done and it got completly ignored ... so that's a plan (again) this year.
I aim to get back into playing my clarinet & saxophone.

Well, I do wonder how many of those will get done!

... and I haven't officially got to work yet!

I actually looked at packing for my 5 day trip to London (I go on Wednesday, back Monday), as I want to again be at The Cenotaph on Sunday. I need decide some places to re-visit, as well as a couple of places I haven't been to before. At least they have called off the rail strikes, although there is still going to be a tube strike on Thursday ... so it will be Shanks'es Pony for me on that day.

This morning I did go to the hospital as I had my annual fire safety talk. We have to do about 8 course per week ... pre-Covid I used to just manage to book the whole lot as a day's classroom teaching. Now many of them are done on-line, but fire has gone back to the safety officer. Trouble is you tend to listen with half an ear, if not careful. But, working in a hospital with the piped oxygen everywhere it can really increase the risk horrifically. Still that's me for another year. Sadly the highest risk of fire in the hospital is that of arson.

I have also played my clarinet for about 13 minutes ... yes, I restarted yesterday, as when I was leaving Church I was asked if I wanted to play in the Carol service ... I have said yes, but there again I need to get my mouth re-toned ... and see how my breathing goes (so far, so good)

So I have to have an early lunch, and then working this afternoon. But, before that -

7. Have you been stung by a stinging critter?
Never by a wasp or hornet, but by a bee a couple of times.
My main "nightmare" are the black ants we have in England ... I am allregic to their bite, whereas most people wouldn't even notice them

Right, I shall get on - Hope you all had a good weekend, and have a good Monday x

I won't need to water the garden tubs this evening!

Mind you, the sun is now out, so if it gets very warm I may change my mind. But it was raining off & on until now. I am hoping that if it rains this week it will be dry next week, as when Brenda visits we have plans for day-trips! Oh well, whateve happens, it will be nice to have a couple of days off work. Those days were off anyway from my normal clinic so that's why I offered Brenda a mini-break, so it would be nice if we could also need to buy an ice-cream, rather than have to huddle in layers of clothes! (Watch this space)

Yes, I am managing to catch up with many of you, but am all behind in replying to comments, so that is a task for this evening.

Now the sun is out I am going to have a short walk, and when I get back I hope to play my clarinet for 5 minutes ... I haven't really been able to increase my play-time, but I am determined to keep going, however small, it's better than nothing.

So, let me get on, but before that -

5. Have you ever hung your clothes out on a clothesline?

Always, if I can

I am really pleased with myself!

I actually played both my clarinet & saxophone for 5 minutes each, and that was the first time in 19 months. So am pleased to have done something at long last. Both getting back into my long-term hobbies, but also trying to get my breathing soted out (thus a short time, but I will try to keep going now I have done day #1) Nick bought me a book of clarinet music as part of my birthday present, so I am determined (on so many levels) to get playing again.

Clinic was busy today. Only one weirdo in the bunch, but he was a super-weirdo!!!!

Now I have more photos to edit before posting some more her ... and, yes, I will try and catch up later. But, before I go -

28. Musician you would like to see live if you had the chance?

Guess who! I have already seen him!

I would like to have seen Beethoven conduct some of his work, as I love his music, and he was such a complex person, with a terrible diasbility.

Well, that was until I read the question ....

2 What have you recently done for the first time?

I suppose joining a new music group about 3 weeks ago is about as "new & recent" as I can get. I had missed orchestra very much. This group is mixed ability and mixed instruments, but I am hoping to persevere and enjoy. Whatever, it has been good to be back playing my clarinet.

I have finished a set of icons for Round 20 of

monthlyinspo, with a theme of musically.

Here are the 3 teasers -

photo 11_zpsjfg2fnsk.jpg

( Here is the full set )

Yep, played my clarinet for just over 10 minutes. That doesn't sound long, but I haven't played since our Christmas Carol Service, as I really struggled with sinus infections for weeks after that. I start rehearsing for this year's Carol Service at the end of the month, but I need to get my mouth toughened up before then ... so will try to practice regularily from now.

I do have photos to share ... a day out with Christine, and a day out with Brenda, as they had different half term holidays which was great. So I will aim to post some photos before I go to London on Wednesday morning. (And, yes, I know I haven't posted the Budapest pics either!!)

I took Jiffy for a long walk today ... as I knew he would be having a tough evening hiding from the fireworks. So it was nice to see him having fun this morning.

Hope you are all having a good weekend
*hugs*

As all of you probably know by now we had a terrorist related incident in London, and as ever random people walking through the city are injured or have lost their lives. It seems small compared with other atrocities, but no doubt is meant to scare people away from the city.

No way - terrorists are not going to run my life ... or my country!

Anyway, enough of politics (etc) not something I usually even mention on LJ.

##########

I keep saying I am back and then disappear! Last time I picked up a tummy bug (I think the kid who sat in front of me at Church the previous day was ill), and sadly my Chronic Fatigue set back in ... so I somehow lost a week. I managed to work for 2 days, but that was all.

So, I need to focus, and get back on track. There is no way I can skim back through your news, and I must yet again apologise that I have been a bad friend (I should get that sentence in the pc memory and that way just fill that line in each time! ).

So what I need to do is do a catch-up post incase any of you remember who I am, and want to know where I am and what I am doing!( It's all about me - )

I do hope that you are all well ... any news, please let me know.
*group hugs*

Day 26 → talk about politics or current events this year

I always vote, whatever the year, and although I have never said I suppose a few people have guessed which side of the government I vote for.

I was very surprised about Brexit - but was also upset that some people wanted a second vote, as I thought that whatever a result, then we would deal with the result. I was incredibly saddened by the hatred that sprung up, as well. Whatever my politics, I have friends from all strands of the government ... no one should have to be murdered (as Jo Cox was), just because we have a difference of opinion.

I am not greatly involved in politics watching - Dad was though. However, again, if that's your choice, I am happy for you.

Day 27 → 3 goals for next year

Well I joined the gym a couple of months ago, so I should have waited and then that could have been #1!!! Anyway, here are a couple of thoughts

Get back to photography

Do some more fan-fic writing

Practice my clarinet regularily

So, hopefully this time next year I will be able to report back!!

Sorry I have been missing .... life is as hectic as ever.

Mum and Dad are not doing as well, with Mum not coping with Dad, and trying to do more so she gets tired. Then she loses her memory a bit, and things go downhill. Dad finds his vocabulary has decreased a bit, which makes life that much harder.

My ME has kicked in more. I try to get a few minutes extra resting, but sometimes it just means I have to cut out the few hours I work. The department is great, and I only leave after clinics are finished ... so they are happy.

Jiffy has had a bad ear infection ... so he is happy to have had a chance to go to the vets a couple of times. He does love everything there.

I have managed to practice my clarinet a few times.

The garden is doing well .... so hard work, but it is nice to be out in the fresh air.

Sorry I haven't updated recently, or caught up with replies, but life tends to take over, and the few evenings I sit with mum and dad watching TV means a bit of a chance to unwind. With mum not being able to see much, I tend to have to focus on the show ... we are watching through The Waltons .... it is interesting to rewatch the series.

Well I must get this finished as it's time to read the Bible for mum and dad, and then get them (and Jiffy) a cup of cocoa.

Will try to catch up soon, promise.

Miss you

Just popping in to say Hi ...

Busy bank holiday, dad and I gardened this morning before the rain came. This afternoon I took a car load of cuttings and weeds to the tip.

I have also managed to do some clarinet practice ... the lungs are doing ok, but the mouth is very sore.

Will try to catch up with comments later.

For those who want to learn a musical instrument ... then join me in playing the clarinet. So amazing, and silly at the same time!

Not happy, as I bought a new 2nd-hand one recently for £950!!

Decorating!

I have had a quiet start to my week, so decided to be positive and start decorating my lounge. For those who remember I had some water damage to the ceiling soon after I moved in due to the poor bathroom. So that has been my excuse to ignore the state ... it needs to dry. But I really want to get on and get it done. So the ceiling is painted, half the woodwork, and about 1/4 of the walls. There is quite a bit of furniture in there - cabinets as well as the settee and seat, so it's a case of doing a corner at a time. Not the traditional way, but it works!

Anyway, I have had enough ... one disadvantage of being single, no one to work with, so I get fed up easily!

Oh well, yesterday I also got my fridge/freezer defrosted in my spare time, so that was good.

Also a good clarinet practice done. I am playing again in a concert in Bude in September. What I haven't told you is that I have had to replace my clarinet, and even though I got a second-hand one, that was money I was not expecting to have to pay out ... so my bank balance is more than empty (thank you Mummy for the loan!)

On a final note before I get back to some more work (... not that I shall do much more today! ), I thought you might like to see this picture of my brother Nick and his family. We don't usually get pictures of him, let alone everyone together - it was taken by my eldest nephew's girlfriend while they were all on holiday last week.

photo 1098014_10201059902451271_61323717_n_zps2b40df23.jpg

photo 1098014_10201059902451271_61323717_n_zps2b40df23.jpg

Brenda, Tom (13),
Joe (10), Dan (15), Andrew (17 ... almost 18)
Nick

And for those who don't know, my brother is almost 5 years younger than me ... that picture made me feel truly ancient!

.

Current Mood: achy

I decided to ask someone elas for 7 words to talk about in this meme thingy.

edenskye gave me -

1. Faith (religious beliefs not vampire slayer LOL)
2. James Marsters
3. Jiffy
4. family
5. Queen Lizzie 2.0 (as Jamie calls her)
6. Classic Movies
7. Clarinet

( And here is the long rambling answer )

Well, congratulations if you read even half of those! Thank you, Tommy, they were some great subjects.

Happy weekend everyone.

Current Mood: content

I decided to ask someone elas for 7 words to talk about in this meme thingy.

Current Mood: content

That 5 thingy meme is going around again. Having read a couple of entries, one of which was from a friend who I had never got to ask me 5 subjects to ramble about. So, I decided to volunteer ... here is what

deborahw37 gave me

What does home mean to you
Your favourite memory
Clarinet
David Tennant
The Internet.

So they are a great, and new selection.

( Here is the ramble - )

Hope you weren't too bored! If you want to ramble, just comment and I will give you 5 topics.

Current Mood: cheerful

Current Mood: cheerful

I am meant to be ironing ... but decided a mini pic-scam was needed instead! So, if I had rumpled uniform tomorrow, it's your fault!

Last Saturday I was in Bude for the Orchestra concert (Here is the programme)

It went well - and we had a good audience. However, at the end the conductor said he had a few words to say ... Yes, he gave thanks for all the hard work I had done over the 20 years that he had been conductor, and said that he was missing his "right hand man" ... I was pleased that if it had to bedone, then he was the one to do it. Barry is the one person who has always chatted, and over that time we have met and beaten some great challenges. Yes, I miss orchestra ... but they gave me 25 years of memories, and as a leaving gift, I had a 6" model of a clarinet - plus this wall plaque, which just made me choke. It is Barry, btw, who gave me the nickname of Debris.

I had a bouquet of flowers - and here you can see them on my coffee table in my lounge ... also showing more pics on the wall, and what part of my house looks like -

I said that I bought some flowers ... well here they are in tubs, along with the tubs from Bude. The large square one in the bottom picture (at the top/back) is my Jaykub rose bush.

Current Mood: cheerful

January 2026

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Entries tagged with clarinet

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