It was not Death, for I stood up, And all the Dead, lie down

[Friday 7th December 2018]

Post title says all.

[Quote is the opening of the poem 'It was not Death, for I stood up' by Emily Dickinson]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Dreadzone at SUB89 in Reading Friday 7th April 2017

Image
Back to SUB89 and also to Dreadzone after a semi-enforced break, on a Friday night and accompanied by my sons - "Dreadzone virgins" in the words of MC Spee: sounds like the setting for a great night out... ...and so it proved to be! There was no support act though Greg Dread (Greg Roberts, drummer) played a DJ set prior to Dreadzone taking to the stage - a gentle warm up for what was to follow.  The band took to the stage to cheers and applause and launched straight into 'Rootsman' from the new album, a great reggae-based opener that led neatly into MC Spee's intro for 'Return of the Dread' - and already the "bouncing crew" was in full sway. Dreadzone are a joyous band live - it's impossible not to dance - and I for one had a grin from ear to ear whilst dancing for the entire two hour set. There was a good mix of old and new songs though a definite bias towards their most "successful" album, Second Light. S...
Read more

A Small Tribute to John Peel on the 10th Anniversary of his Death

Image
The 25th October 2014 marks a decade since John Peel died of heart attack, at the age of 65, whilst on a working holiday in Peru.  I first heard of his death on that day on my way back home from Leeds.  When I got off the train at Kings Cross I had to walk to the tube station via the street (there were building works going on) and on my way I passed some 'Metro' stands and the headline caught my eye, so I picked up a copy and read the bad news.  A lot of words have already been written this month about John, his legacy and what he meant to many of those who met and worked with him.   I didn't ever meet John though did see him near Broadcasting House one evening in the 1990's - just didn't have the bottle to say hello. Apart from having influenced and broadened my musical horizons for more than 30 years – from teenager to father of three – he also introduced to some of the artists and bands I still love today.  This post i...
Read more

Love, Poetry and Revolution - Tuesday 21st January 2024

Image
Sometimes it's hard to know what is good and what is not.  Last night (technically very early this morning) we called out the out-of-hours nursing service to attend to E.  We've had to do this several times consecutively over the past week.   With any luck, this is a sign that things are changing, which would be in everyone's best interest, not least E's.  Either way, the positive thing is that we should be moving to a situation where E gets pain relief and calming medication via a continuous feed syringe driver.  There is no telling how long this could last, so we have to develop a plan B, for the sake of E, who would ideally have access to 24-hour nursing care and for the rest of us who find witnessing E in pain to be upsetting. (Stronger words are more appropriate, but those will do) The reality of the situation is unimaginable unless you are the one or ones experiencing it.  Things must change. On other occasions, it is easy to distinguish good and...
Read more

Love, Poetry and Revolution - Thursday 3rd August 2023

Image
Work again and, for a change, it looks like being a dry day, so we all know what that means. Early doors son #2 and his gf headed to the airport as she is returning to Costa Rica via Houston. We're having shower leaks again, or appear to be.  Investigation is under way (as is a call to the plumber). It's going to be a very busy day, so I'll probably not have much else to say which may well mean I resort to posting this week's poem. I may not, though as it's not a favourite. It's by Thomas Hardy and he's from an era that generally doesn't light my fire. I'm more of a fan of the work of Laurel and. All week I've been attempting to take daily blood pressure readings (when I remember) ahead of  my annual blood test tomorrow. No pressure. There have been a few visitors today but no cleaner as she cancelled on me yesterday.  No worries. It's pizza night delayed (it was insisted upon) but the meal was nowhere near quorate so son #2 and I watched som...
Read more

Tales From The Crypt - Sunday 30th October 2022

Image
An extra hour's sleep, in theory and almost in practice.  I was woken today by the sound of E coughing.  On the positive side I still heard her even though I was blocking out sound, and not only that she was fine, just a normal round of coughing. I went back to bed, but couldn't get back to sleep so got up, and showered. Going to meet a friend for a coffee at around 11, but before then I have washing to put on and a few of the usual daily chores to do. Back from a great coffee and catch-up with a good friend. She's looking well and doing OK, which is good to see.  Lots to talk about as we've not seen each other for a couple of months, maybe more. Time flies, etc.  We both had some films, books and other recommendations to share, one of the many delights of catching up with people.  There's not much that beats spending time with friends.  Before heading our separate ways we visited the local Asian foods superstore which has some really interesting food on sa...
Read more