Here's looking at you, kid...

Playlist

Various - 2010 Releases on Shuffleplay

Laura Pausini - Best Of

Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

Another month gone - and a particularly traumatic one...

Up at a reasonable hour...

Late morning, for some exercise for Pam (it's important she exercises), we walked to Tesco for some essentials...

Pam's hair is fast growing...

As we approached, we heard the fire alarm and saw several hundred last minute New Year's Eve shoppers making their way to the car park...

Luckily, just a drill - and, within twenty minutes or so, we were inside...

Post lunch, a wee trip round to chum Suzanne's home, where we met her mum and stepdad and re-met her husband Chris, the best putter-upper of emergency bannisters in the business and their lovely kids Olivia and Megan...

Megan was on her usual mischevious but entertaining form while Olivia was sadly under the weather, suffering from an allergic reaction to penicillin...

Poor wee lamb..

Back home again and relaxing - Anne reading and Pam checking her new Hotmail account...

Late afternoon, "Casablanca" turned up on the schedules and, with none of us ever having seen it, we watched it through to the early evening...

...and very good it was too...

Hogmanay sustenance was obtained from the nearby "Great Wall" chinese takeway before we headed to midnight with some "Still Game " specials, including the one in the lift witht the flashbacks to the seventies - genius...

Post a couple of cheeky bottles of red, Pam was able to produce some lemon slices to adorn our G&Ts for "the bells"...

We had a great view of the London Fireworks...

...in front of the telly in Pam's living room...

Jools Holland's "Hootenanny" kind of entertained into the wee small hours before we called it a night...

Happy New Year and all the best for 2011...

Highlight of the Day : New Year with my very brave wee sister - and my most esteemed Exec Producer...

Best of the Year 2010...

New Releases
Asia - Omega
Brian Eno - Small Craft on a Milk Sea
Bryan Ferry - Olympia
Fehlfarben - Glucksmaschinen
James - The Night Before
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Peter Gabriel - Scratch My back
65DaysOfStatic - We Were Exploding Anyway
Sumner McKane - Something Very New England About This View
The Bad Plus - Never Stop

Recent Releases
Bad Lieutenant - Never Cry Another Tear
Bob Dylan- Together Through Life
Heaven and Hell - The Devil You Know
Ian Hunter - Shrunken Heads
Steven Wilson - Insurgentes
Sumner McKane – Nanook
Sumner McKane - North
Sumner McKane - Two If By Sea
Sumner McKane – What a Great Place to Be
The Flower Kings - Adam and Eve

Reissues
Dream Theater - Scenes From a Memory
Echo and the Bunnymen - Heaven Up Here
LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
Rheingold - Rheingold
The Eagles - Desperado

Collections
Bob Dylan - Tell Tale Signs
Boston - Greatest Hits
David Sylvian - Sleepwalkers
Depeche Mode - 1984-2009 (CD-R)
Frank Zappa - Lather
K D Lang - Recollections (2CD)
Sparks - Singles 1972-2009 (3CD-R)
Steven Wilson - Nsrgnts Rmxs
The Cramps - Off the bone
The Tubes - Mondo Birthmark

Live
Alice Cooper - Theatre of Death (CD & DVD)
Depeche Mode - Tour of the Universe
Pet Shop Boys - Pandemonium

Various Artist Compilations
Various - High Voltage (2CD-R)
Various - Pulp Fusion Bustin' Loose

Jazz
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers - Roots and Herbs
Bobby Hutcherson - Stick Up
Crimson Jazz Trio - King Crimson Songbook Vol 2
Donald Byrd -Ethiopian Knights
Grachan Moncur III - Evolution
Herbie Hancock - Fat Albert Rotunda
Horace Silver - Finger Poppin'
John Coltrane - Ascension
Lee Morgan - The Final Session
Wayne Shorter - The Soothsayer

Classical
Bruneti - Drei Sinfonien
Carter - String Quartets (2CD)
Fretwork - Portraits
Haydn - The Paris Symphonies (3CD)
Monteverdi - Scherzi Musicali
Muffatt - Concerti Grossi (2CD)
Otte - Das Buch der Klaenge
Philip Glass - The Essential Philip Glass
Rodrigo - Complete Piano Works (2CD)
Tippett - String Quartets (2CD)

The start of the second phase...

Playlist

Robert Fripp - A Blessing of Tears

Robert Fripp - That Which Passes

Robert Fripp - Love Cannot Bear

Chris Rea - Still so far to go

Vivaldi - The Four Seasons

Laura Pausini - Best of

Back to the Royal Free this morning for Pam's test results...

..but, before that, to the Hampstead Tearooms...

..for some tasty coffee and scones...

The results, while not the best they could have been, were equally not the worst and today marks the start of the second phase of Pam's fight against her brain tumour...

She will shortly start intensive radio and chemotherapy to try and inhibit or shrink back what is left of the tumour...

She is young, strong, fit, heathy and has come through her op brilliantly and Mr Shieff the neurosurgeon stacks all these things in her favour...

The news though was a big blow to Pam but she remains so brave and positive, it is beyond any praise I can give her here...

So, after a few tears and few calls to family and friends we picked ourselves up and drove to Brent Cross to meet up with Suzanne and Michelle for lunch and to give them the news...

Michelle's new nose is looking good - this is her attempt to compare it to a pic of her old nose...

Her sister is accusing her of copying her nose...

Back home and, in the late afternoon, I set out on an errand which involved me accidentally driving round the streets of Hemel Hempstead for over an hour trying to get back home...

My task though was completed...

In the evening, as we waited for Anne's flight to arrive, all Pam's chums popped in...

Debbie, Julie, Lesley,,,

..Suzanne..

..and, just behind me, Michelle...

With just a short delay, Anne's plane arrived and I drove to Luton to collect her and bring her back...

A cup of tea with sole remaining chum Lesley then some wine and chocolates and reflection on the day before heading to bed...

Highlight of the Day : Annie's arrival...

Through the fog...

Playlist

King Crimson - Islands

King Crimson - In the Wake of Poseidon

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic

Laura Pausini - Best of

Police/Sting - Best of

Robert Fripp - World Financial Center, New York 04/12/10

A foggy day...

Awake early and listening to King Crimson...

Up, breakfasted and then Pam and I were out and about...

Firstly to her GP to pick up her sick line, then to the chemist to pick up some more steroids, then into Hemel centre and parked at Asda, allowing Pam to go to Boots to have her glasses fixed...

A look in the local charity shops resulted in Pam acquiring Police and Bryan Ferry CDs, whilst your correspondent opted for Girls Aloud...

Then, a mammoth shopping session in Asda, picking up provisions for the next few days...

After dropping off the shopping and a quick coffee, it was back out again, this time to the dentist for Pam to undertake a filling - but sans anaesthetic due to her recent op...

Then we drove to nearby Watford to the hospital...

...where Pam was treated at the start of the month when it was initially, mistakenly, believed she'd suffered a stroke rather than the brain tumour subsequently discovered and removed at the Royal Free in London and upon which tests have been carried out, the results of which she will receive tomorrow...

I had some paperwork to be signed off and, with this done, we headed back home for a late lunch...

The opening hour or so of "Flushed Away" was enjoyed, before we set off for a diverting visit to Pam's chum, camera shy Debbie and her wee cat Murphy for a few hours...

Back home just before 8 and I cooked dinner, pork in tomato and creme fraiche sauce with red onion and sweet pepper...

Post dinner, some phone calls and relaxing in front of the telly, staving off going to bed, though Pam is sleeping in her chair as I type and Robert Fripp's soundscapes are soothing...

A big day tomorrow...

Highlight of the Day : Hanging out with my sister...

Jammin'...

Playlist
Peter Gabriel - Scratch My Back
Eels - End Times
John Grant - Queen of Denmark
James - The Night Before
The Tubes - White Punks on Dope
Sparks - Singles 1974-2009
Pet Shop Boys - Pandemonium
Depeche Mode - Singles - 1984-2009
Marc Almond - Variete
Steve Harley - Stranger Comes to Town
KD Lang - Recollection

Today, it was off to England again with sister Pam, leaving Crispycat Towers behind... 

Anne and I drove to my mum's in Loanhead to pick her up - sister Sheila was also in attendance to bid us farewell...

Then we were on our way, the milder weather allowing us to shave a few miles off our journey by taking "the Biggar road" rather than going via Glasgow as we did last week...

Pam took advantage of her passenger mirror to try and hide her black eyes!

Soon, we were in England and on to the M6...

We lunched again at Westmoreland but this time it was so foggy, no pics were taken...

The M6 turned into a nghtmare around Manchester with very long and frustrating traffic jams...

The situation was repeated on the M1...

...with the result that, despite a shorter route and with only one hour's worth of rest time instead of two, we took just as long as the journey up last Monday - having left at 11:08, we arrived in Hemel at 8:08...

There was no apparent reason for any of the jams - other than signs which might be paraphrased as saying "there's a chance of a traffic jam so you better slow down" - so everyone did and, hey presto, there were jams...

Putting all the stress of the journey behind us, we headed to Domino's for a couple of tasty pizzas...

...before settling back in to Pam's house...


I think she's glad to be home again, although she had a great and quite restful time up in Scotland...

Highlight of the Day : Finally arriving...

It's round...

Playlist
Various - Best Albums of 2010 on Shuffleplay
Various - Milano Jukebox 2010
The Beatles - Solo Singles 1970-1975
The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers
Various - Oh! Canada Compilations

Up early and downstairs with Meg the Black Cat listening to music...

Then Pam was up to take her medicine first thing...

We compiled a list of CDs she’d like to hear in the car on the way back down South tomorrow and I started burning them for her...

This was interrupted by Anne organising breakfast and I was soon on my way to the store for provisions...

“Eddie Izzard : Stripped” entertained for 90 minutes – an excellent comically skewed history of the world – first words in the bible ought to have been “It’s round...”

Back to burning then off to mum’s with Pam and prepping her car for tomorrow...

Home to Anne and “The Likely Lads Xmas Special” from 1974, the last 30 minutes of “Happy Feet” and some mucking about on the net, including last night’s “Upstairs Downstairs” on the I-Player...

Then cooking Red Thai Chicken Curry together, soundtracked by the Stones from ‘71...

“Coronation Street”, a valiant attempt by Richard Herring to win “Celebrity Mastermind” and tonight’s “Upstairs Downstairs” were followed by Charlie Brooker’s “2010 Wipe”...

Downloaded some Canadian music and called it a night with Hemel Hempstead in my sights once again...

Highlight of the Day : Cooking with Anne...

Not boxing, just having fun...

Playlist
Pet Shop Boys - Christmas
Shawn Colvin - Holiday Songs and Lullabies
Eagles - Desperado
Herbie Hancock - Mwandishi
Depeche Mode - Recording the Universe
Various - Milano Jukebox 2010
The Beautiful South - Best of
The Beatles - 1967-1970
Moby - Wait for Me. Remixes!
Various - Top Albums of 2010 on Shuffleplay

Up early again and watching some TV and listening to music...

Out to Loanhead around one or so to pick up sister Pam - sister Sheila arrived with unexpected presents...

Mum and Sheila were off to the pantomime this evening, whilst Anne, Pam and I were going to Jane & Bobby's for Boxing Day dinner...

Walked through the snow to the bus...

...and arrived around three for fun...

As always, Jane and Bobby put on an excellent spread...

..that's home made ice cream - mmm, mmm...

Much drinking and carousing took place into the evening with Ollie and Kitty partaking to the full in all the various quizzes being undertaken...

At the end of the night, Kitty recorded all those present, including a fine, eyes-closed self-portrait..

...then it was off for the bus back home and we walked down to Crispycat Towers in the dark...

...where the rest of the evening was spent watching the TV with the sound down whilst listening to music and Anne and Pam surfing the net on their respective laptops...

A good day...

Highlight of the Day : Boxing Day with the family...

A potato too far...

Playlist

King Crimson - Red

Various - The Best Xmas EP in the World...Ever!

Various - Milano Jukebox 2010

Pink Floyd -Echoes

Various - Twenty Seven 2010 Releases on Shuffleplay

Abba - Abba Gold

A very Merry Xmas to all her readers from Meg the Black Cat...

Up at six again, having woken at five - it was Xmas day after all...

Last minute compiling of my annual CD gift to Anne of tracks she may like from this year...

Blue skies and not so cold and, notwithstanding the very late start to our present purchasing, we managed to keep the traditions alive...

A slap up breakfast was prepared by the Exec Producer...

Followed of course by the scoffing of chocolate money by your correspondent...

Meg the Black Cat enjoyed playing with the tin foil wrappers...

A good telecon with Dr Prog - circumstances have curtailed our meetings, which will resume in the New Year...

I have told him not to buy his ticket yet for High Voltage 2011...

"Singing in the Rain" was enjoyed, a few wee tears were shed - for no particular reason that I could fathom...

Preparations were undertaken for tomorrow's overnighting by sister Pam...

"Polar Express" was not enjoyed - seemed to be all about "look at this great piece of animation we can do with our supercomputers" - seldom have I seen such unattractive children in a children's film...

Strange..

Off out to Loanhead for 3:30 to have Xmas dinner with mum and Pam - your correspondent was on meal preparation duty, with the Exec Producer helping out on mash and Pam having pre-prepared turkey yesterday...

A pop in visit from old chum Debbie - whom I always think of as a very young person indeed, given that I have known her since she was born...

Despite my best attempts, we had twice as much food as that required - such is usually the way at Xmas...

All in all, my triple potato menu (mash, roast and croquettes) might have been a potato too far...

Parsnips and sprouts, however, were not missed...

My attempts were sandwiched by Mum's home made prawn cocktail which went down a treat - and the similarly appreciated huge festive berry cheesecake transported to the venue in the Cloudland Blue mobile...

All in all though, with Pam in kind of enforced relax mode, it was a quiet Xmas - an hour long Corrie was enjoyed along with a "Still Game Xmas Special" on DVD...

..and, with Pam tired after a long day, we left around 9:30 but will see her again tomorrow for Boxing Day celebrations at sister/brother-in-law Jane & Bobby's...

Back home to a good but not great "Dr Who" Xmas Special followed by the new, disappointing, comedy show from Matt Lucas and David Walliams - I fell asleep halfway through...

To bed with the best of 2010...

Highlight of the Day : Being Xmas Day...

Cold and beautiful...

Playlist

Heaven and Hell - The Devil You Know

Eels - Tomorrow Morning

Tool - Opiate
OMD - History of Modern

Various - Euphoria : A Decade of Trance

Various - Last 12 Months on Shuffleplay

Steven Lindsay - Exit Music

Various - The Discovery Project

King Crimson - Lizard

Up at six....

These are not dominoes - it is the moon...

Uptown for last minute (or last day) Xmas shopping...

Cold and beautiful...

At 1, to La P'tit Folie for lunch - the official "Reptile Xmas Night Out" (except it was in the afternoon)...

Tasty!

Back home in the early twilight...

...for an evening of, post the newly arrived from e-bay Steven Lindsay CD and a free jazz FM disc, "Narnia : Prince Caspian" and various other Xmas Eve TV delights - sadly no time this year for "It's a Wonderful Life"...

Meg the Black cat relaxed, waiting for Santa...

Present wrapping, then off to bed, trying to stave off an oncoming cold...

Listening to one of last year's presents, the re-mixed "Lizard" by King Crimson, an all-time fave LP...



Highlight of the Day : The Reptile Xmas Lunch...