Every Day

..is a winding road...

Poem

Last night I dreamed I punched a man to death
He taunt me so
I, the most non-violent person I know
Yet, with each and every breath
With each and every roar and scream
And heavy hand I lay
Upon his head, to my dismay
It was my perfect dream.

Lines And Lines And Lines

Just Sittin'

I spent way too much time just sitting in the driver seat today. Not driving, just waiting. I seem to be getting the hang of this patience thing, must be my age!

I sat for over 90 minutes outside the doctor's surgery while one of my daughters waited patiently inside until 12:30 for her 11:00 appointment. In fairness, both of the usual doctors were missing and a poor locum was trying to cope on her own.

Later this evening I waited in the car-park of the local maternity hospital for another one of my daughters who was supposed to finish her shift at 20:45 but didn't get out 'til almost an hour later. Then again, babies aren't known for their punctual arrivals!
Said daughter is on  placement in this hospital for the past week (she's usually in general hospitals). Today she was on the labour ward. First thing she said getting into the car? "I'm never having kids! Adoption is the way for me!"

In between I made a huge batch of my famous tomato sauce, which should last the week, and enough for friends too. Also made a lovely chicken dinner, complete with Bubble & Squeek, (from yesterdays leftover cabbage and spuds.) So all is well. 

:¬)

FUCKIT!!

One minute away from a  fucking draw!

Family First.

I've not been ignoring you, I've just been having a very good time.
It's 3am, and I'm just in from a family party. (Yes, another one!)
This time it was the celebration of 40 years of wedded bliss for my brother Jimmy and his wife Helen.

A day (and night) long affair in their house, just down the road from my own wee castle.The fling started about 4ish and went on from there. We joined the party about 7pm, that's when it really got going! That's when the singing started!

It's been quite a while since the six brothers and our little sis were all in the same house together. Add some alcohol.....

To say we all like to sing is an understatement, can you just imagine the lot of us fighting for mic time?? But it's my mic, yeah?
No, I was happy to be MC and let the rest of the clan do the singing for a change.
Throw in some very talented nieces & nephews, who needs a band?

The neighbours were fascinated! We're like a very ugly Osmond/Partridge family! (Apart from wee sis, who's just gorgeous!)
But with the voices of angels.
Hell's Angels!
Fuckit though, we amuse ourselves, and it's free.

Much as I love being out with friends, and much as I love being on stage entertaining strangers, there's nothing beats a gathering of the clan.

Nothing.

Family first.

Singalongamap.

Today for breakfast.... HAHAHAHA!!

I don't eat breakfast. It's coffee & a fag for me, though I haven't had a fag in over eight years now. So it's just the coffee. Three spoons of Tesco's Finest in me big Hoops mug. (Ta Pal!) Keeps me going for at least an hour.

I knew before I even started the van that the clutch was gannna be fucked. The heavens were pouring down which didn't make the day any better! Today was ganna be busy.

I managed to get the van moving, and with the help of my drummer, got it to our mechanic and get back home in time to get my gear into Herself's car.

Oh, I haven't told ya yet, today I was doing my first 'seniors' lunch 'singalongwithmap'! And the van fucked up!

As it was on in the centre where Herself works, she came home and helped me pack the gear into the car. And I'm glad she did.

I was on after the bingo (Such a Star!). Approx 60 senior ladies & one gent.
I'm not one to boast, but I sent a lot of ladies home happy!  :¬)

I myself am still on a high from the love I got back from the girls. They sang along with all the oldies, and danced like young'uns to the lively tunes.

A good time was had by all.

That's Entertainment

Again I sit awake at an unholy hour, perfect you may say, for such an unholy soul.
It's all the years spent on shiftwork, coupled with being a Rock-God that gives my body the sleeping patterns of a vampire. That and an over-active mind.

It was a busy weekend, I estimate that at least 250 songs were voiced by the Map in the last three days! I'm keeping my cakehole shut for the day tomorrow. Friday was a wedding with the band in Bunratty, great night. A drinking pal of mine was in attendance with his good lady wife. He has never seen me perform before. I think he was mildly shocked by the on-stage Map compared to the quiet bar-fly he's used to. "You're quite a different man up there"

Saturday night I was entertaining the guests at my grand-nephew's Christening. This was a solo gig, and most of my family, including the Ma  and most of my brothers were in my audience. The problem with having so many brothers is that they keep sending drinks up to the stage. I was having such a good time I forgot the hour, and was singing for five hours! And Ma was one of the last to leave, at almost 3am!

Sunday night was another solo gig in a rugby club. A surprise 50th birthday party for the FIL of one of my nieces. A bit more quiet than the previous two nights but it suited me, as I was on Adam's wine!

Sometimes it's hard to believe that folk pay me good money to do what I do.

Have a good week my friends.

No Church

'Tis not to church I'll go when life leaves me
I've asked her that, and agree did she
Lay me out in my music room
Where my friends
And those who wonder
Loom
To see the man
Who sang for many
A man who loved to sing
For any
Dared to sing
And dared to love
Loved to share
And shared to love
Not a night in church I'll tarry
Though be it there I did doth marry
Leave me not alone
With priest
I've spent my time with such,
A beast
Take me from my home my dear
To the hole,
Without fear.

Fred Morrison - 'The Hard Drive' (put yer heidphones on fer this, just DO!)

Jameson & Powers & Pals

Can I see some I.D.?

The trousers do be getting tight again. And though herself has been taking me on her nightly walks I think it's time I started doin' some real exercise again.
I've been researching local gyms on the web. The one I currently attend pay membership to is getting a bit old and tired, like meself.
I found a couple of good ones in local hotels, but the price of membership is a bit steep.
Then herself pointed out the special offer for the Over 50's!
I'd forgotten that!
I'd forgotten I was Over 50!
But that's good yeah?
And it saves me money.
I'm offf to research 'Golden Oldie' holidays!

Wee Man

If I had a son
His name would be Iain
And his hair would be curly
And he would be a gangly teen
Who would grow
To become a strong man
And he would be gentle
Like his grandfathers before him
He would cycle a bike
And kick a ball
And hug his Grannies
And he would love his Ma
And Protect his sisters
And take his auldfella for a pint
Of a Sunday

Caught In A Moment

Another great shot from my favourite photographer Dermot Culhane.

Not only a great photographer, but one of the most down-to-earth people I have the pleasure to know.

I was visiting the Ma last Saturday and she was telling me she had woken up with an old neighbour, Pauline, on her mind. Pauline had passed away two weeks previously. Ma said that Pauline had come to her in the dream and looked very cold (she was a very thin woman) so she gave her a brandy to warm her.

That evening at my wedding I got chatting to Dermot. He told me he had taken some great shots of me singing to his Aunt at the last wedding we were both working. She passed away two weeks ago, his Auntie Pauline.

Small world.

Have a look at his site if you have some time to spare.