The Red Mist - like anyone actually cares…

“Slow down, you move too fast” warbled Messrs. Simon and Garfunkel, back in the sixties.

Huh - what do they know. Life in the noughties has been notched up a couple of gears at least, since those quaint times. If I’m anything like typical (and I’m probably about as typical as you can get) then then the world is positively spinning with frenetic activity.

I’ve forgotten the last time I came in from work, had a meal and then just sat down to watch the TV. Is Ena Sharples still in Coronation Street?

My dear Mum (85) has been in hospital in Liverpool for over a month, having fractured her pelvis, then getting pneumonia and having a mild heart attack, just for fun I suspect. The woman is indestructible, I swear. Regular trips up there to visit, intermingled with my round trips to Shrewsbury to see the lovely S., are wonderful but tiring. I managed another visit to Liverpool last night, straight from work, but am glad to be at home for the rest of the weekend.

Plus, I’ve been roped in to producing a DVD for the local amateur dramatics group, and helping with the town’s bid for Walkers Are Welcome status (recently successful) which involves going to meetings and maintaining the town web site on a more regular basis.

Add to that my weekly cookery course, and it doesn’t leave much time for anything else.

Except that, like you I suppose, I’m being bombarded with crap to deal with by banks, insurance companies, public utilities and other institutions that all want a slice of my wealth.

Oh, yes, and I have a small business to run, too.

So, Simon, so, Garfunkel, I feel anything but groovy, thanks. Just knackered.

You’d think that being so tired would guarantee a sound night’s sleep. Au contraire - I’m getting 3 or 4 hours a night, if I’m lucky.

Sorry to whinge, but I feel better just for offloading.

Actually, it’s not all negative energy being expended. In amongst all of the above, there’s been some rewarding stuff too, notably a Mike Sanchez gig last Saturday, followed by seeing Elbow in Llandudno on Monday night.

You don’t see original rock’n'roll being performed live very often these days, but Mr. Sanchez does it with such obvious enthusiasm that it makes a refreshing change. Elbow were a complete contrast - very contemporary, but absolutely superb. The best rock gig I’ve been to for some years, I think. I just smiled all the way through the gig, it was so enjoyable.

The investment in time with all the running around is more than compensated for, too, by being able to spend time with the people that are important to me - My son, who went to Berlin and the Elbow gig, the lovely S., my Mum and my sister and brother in law in Liverpool, too.

I’m starting to feel a bit groovier already - thanks for listening!