Middle Age and Heavy Metal

My little brother is 50, which makes me bloody old. Seems he had a huge party and is only just recovering.

I spoke to Dorothy last night and had quite a good long chat. Dorothy saw a documentary film called "Anvil" or something. Anyway it's about a heavy metal band who have never made it and keep plugging away trying and hoping for a breakthrough though in their fifties. Apparently it is a fab documentary and I should see it. Maybe there is a DVD of it. Seems it is a bit Spinal Tappish but real. Hmmm. May take a look at it. I have signed up to be notified by Amazon when a DVD is available. It has a good review on Amazon.

Alzheimer's Dream, Cat Poo and Statins

Glad to be up - had a depressing nightmare where I found myself wandering the streets and suddenly realised I was wearing my nightclothes and slippers. Standing outside M & S could not decide whether to go in and buy something I needed or whether to get a cab back home and change, started to panic a bit and woke up. I wonder if Alzheimer's strikes while you are asleep?

Fed Mavis last night and this morning. Got rid of Malvolio's poo station as he tends to go in there and leave all the poo exposed so the whole flat smells appalling until I have disposed of it. I think he can manage to go outside since it's not freezing. I don't think he caught the goldfish. Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.

Have been working on a small, rather sketchy view out of the studio window. It is total crap so far - but a work in progress.

Much publicity about the virtues of statins - thought a friend of mine had discovered these, but his was something a bit less developed, called eotaxin. I remember him getting very excited about that some years ago. Something to do with asthma. Oh well.

Evil Cat

- not sure whether it was Malvolio or another cat, but I found the corpse of a goldfish outside - fished from the pond. I don't think it could have been Malvolio as he is a bit old and decrepit and I think his eyesight is not good enough for fishing. Only two fishes left now.

Photographer

This is the latest effort, finished this morning.

Definitely Monday Morning

Dear me! I had far too much to drink last night with a consequent lowering of the tone of conversation, so I am hoping that everyone else had also drunk too much and forgotten most of the proceedings - particularly since a wonderful old whisky was produced at the end of the meal.

We started with an Italian salad of orange slices with black olives and fennel strips which was very refreshing with a very pleasant white wine. We then went on to the main course - delicious beef casserole with pommes dauphinoise, carrots and cabbage. James produced a very good rioja to accompany this, and then on to my trifle, and Gillian had cleverly found a dark pink dessert wine to match. We then had coffee with mints and the aforesaid whiskey. Nomad's flat is a lovely modern flat in Shad Thames with a huge ceiling to floor window overlooking the Thames - a lovely setting.

I feel somewhat jaded this morning which is hardly a surprise. Must get upstairs to feed Mavis when I have fed Malvolio.

Quite funny - just fed Malvolio and was unlocking the upstairs door when a voice called out -'don't worry, I haven't gone yet!' - I was sure my neighbour was leaving last night, but fortunately he is still here and will feed Mavis this morning - just as well, in my hungover state.

Sunday Morning

Nibby has finally got herself onto Facebook. I suspect a daughterly influence, since Saff has been staying with her. Well done, nevertheless.

I did the earth hour thing last night, but peeped out and no one else in our street - at least on the other side - seemed to have turned out their lights.

Wondering if I can make it to Elephant for a coffee and to buy a paper. Will consider this further after a bath. Must adjust clocks - fortunately some already OK from non resetting last time.

I have ordered more paint from Artifolk online as I couldn't get to the local art shop yesterday. I think I have enough paint to last for a bit.

Just had a long chat with Nibby who is well. Her next grandchild is due in three or four weeks. She will miss them all when they return to UK. Made myself a hot cocoa with three drops of Camp coffee essence in it which sharpens up the chocolate taste. Mocha ...mmm.

Trifle Done, Knee Done In But Good Lunch

Made trifle but buggered my knee somehow going down stairs despite going v. slowly. The pain was excruciating. My later attempt to hobble off and buy a newspaper failed, so staggered into Lye Torng for a morning read followed by lunch. Ray kindly purchased a paper for me as I could not move.

Left to return home and the rain started immediately, but this did not affect my total lack of speed, so arrived a bit drenched. I am supposed to start feeding the upstairs cat tomorrow night, so may have to ascend and descend the rather steep stairs sitting down. Fortunately there is a lift at the Butler's Wharf flat where we are dining tomorrow night.