It's amazing what the power of putting "Harrods-on-sea" last week as a blog title has done to my readership figures... ah me! The power of advertising, the roar of the chequebook, the thrill of the power...
Well... I suppose that I'd better come up with a Simon Cowell exclusive now I've lured you out of cybersurfing the big waves of the e-coast to the cul-de-sac of thefellowshipofthestring.blogspot.com... and I have one!!!
(Well kind of.)
This is an analogy in the loosest sense of the word.
As a graduate of the cattle trucks of the X factor auditions, herded together in freezing conditions by the tens of thousand outside the collection of talent point, the hard silhouette of the bitter slogan of our captors painted against the sky, like a mocking, overweight comedian's catchphrase, taunting us in our desflair... and by it's naked impossibility to all save the one inheritor of the Cruwell Crown of Millionairedom... "Starbux macht frei"... reduced to the irreducible X of the crossed arms salute...
Too much...
BUT! Yes it was horrible, and really cold (not that it was in anyway Polish) but there was a sense of a sudden and overwhelmingly important and irrevocable decision being made. The elect were granted their papers of leave to suspense until the next grisly round: how many of those enjoying the 'punch the air triumph' would live till the TV morn... and we were made to cheer, endless silent cheering, hollow as our coffee chain cardboard coffee cups after 9 hours, cheer, not once, not twenty times, but many times the space that measures night and day to mortal man. Up and down the music volume was turned to drown the noise of the tumult of the tired and the taunted and the bored, the testy and the tested. Here was a mass that was ready to crowdvolt against their captors but they lacked the weapons to do so. For we were slaves and had given away our freedom or had it torn from us, like a latte cup that is swiped before we're entirely finished with licking the reachable parts of the chalice...
And this is the serious point behind this admittedly sensationawhimsicalism, is there some sort of collective madness at work here? Some crackpot quasi-Messiah of the adoring millions who has beguiled the voters to place him in the world Premierliament of popularity, to the destruction of the morals and minds of the majority, alliterating his great white way to the top with a clattering of tan cremes and top notes, a uniform of tight belts and tucked in t-shirts: who is this Pariah of swing, this Svengali of Pop, the Sybo of 40 somethings, the one, the only, the best, the brightest, the biggest, the never to be repeated (except at hourly intervals...)
Yes, I too have fallen. A victim of the cultural wars of these early years of our brave new cenemetery of integrity. How the gods of yesteryear, the Forsyth's all bruised by their sagas of career ascendancy and follicle-descendency, how these demi-heroes triumphed in their live long journey to the Ever-terrestrian heights, is but for the stuffing of moths by old newspaper headlines: like an old jumper we wonder at - "did men truly ever wear such strictures? Was such discomfiture once modelled, and by such as me?"
Now we have reached the sunny upland of the Fifteen Minutes, such historic toil is to be marveled at as the protean efforts of the inventors of the wheel or biro. Cowell the Great maketh many marvels in his lunch hour as these. Here, where all are famous who are old enough to be photographed and placed into the homes of babes and sucklings as either babes or suckers, what wonders shall there be when broadband is as instant as the aspired for reflection in the glory of the white-toothed wonder...
Oh yes! That Royal exclusive I mentioned...
Now where did I put that photo....????
Monday, 16 April 2012
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Harrods-on-sea
The Margate charity shops have been busy today - Rondle, Ma and I spent a very happy few hours hunter gathering along the clothes rails.
Jeepers headed for Huddersfield this morn after a power breakfast at the Dalby Caf, following a quick walk for Jack Russell Harmer along the Turner beach. The image used for the Turner exhibition running at the moment was painted from my favourite dog-walking beach - bit of pedigree for Jack now he's reached the grand old age of 12 (or good as).
Jeepers was very struck by the Rodin The Kiss, which has been lurking in the window of the Turner gallery since January. It really is a genius bit of work. Enormous too. Even Baranarnaby enjoyed the exhibition (!)
Kept bumping into Dave from the jetski cafe - first at The Golden Curry (Margate's premier tandoor) then today at Milo's Cafe in the Old Town, plus baby James and partner Daniella. Mum had spotted him outside Rocker Bob's 2nd hand shop earlier in the week. He's invited the Fellowship to the Waterski Club sometime summerwards to keep the crowds amused.
Forces are gathering for Jane Barran-Pouleaupot's soiree next month, namely Barn on guitar and high tenor, Lulu on guitar and soulful voice, Regina on violin, Indomitable de Nordwall on tall tales, and Rupert de B on keys. I'm going to try and get something up to scratch on the old harp in time: Bluebell sallies forth for her inaugural voyage. Jeepers had a go whilst staying in London (3 blind mice and Ode to Joy) and has fallen for the sound as well; it is beautiful!
Managed to afford to treat my dear Mama to a very stylish jacket from the Pilgrims Hospice shop as we hunter gathered our way through the arvo. Ab fab (darling) would have been proud.
Grazie Monsieur Fayed and Monsieur Lacroix...!
Jeepers headed for Huddersfield this morn after a power breakfast at the Dalby Caf, following a quick walk for Jack Russell Harmer along the Turner beach. The image used for the Turner exhibition running at the moment was painted from my favourite dog-walking beach - bit of pedigree for Jack now he's reached the grand old age of 12 (or good as).
Jeepers was very struck by the Rodin The Kiss, which has been lurking in the window of the Turner gallery since January. It really is a genius bit of work. Enormous too. Even Baranarnaby enjoyed the exhibition (!)
Kept bumping into Dave from the jetski cafe - first at The Golden Curry (Margate's premier tandoor) then today at Milo's Cafe in the Old Town, plus baby James and partner Daniella. Mum had spotted him outside Rocker Bob's 2nd hand shop earlier in the week. He's invited the Fellowship to the Waterski Club sometime summerwards to keep the crowds amused.
Forces are gathering for Jane Barran-Pouleaupot's soiree next month, namely Barn on guitar and high tenor, Lulu on guitar and soulful voice, Regina on violin, Indomitable de Nordwall on tall tales, and Rupert de B on keys. I'm going to try and get something up to scratch on the old harp in time: Bluebell sallies forth for her inaugural voyage. Jeepers had a go whilst staying in London (3 blind mice and Ode to Joy) and has fallen for the sound as well; it is beautiful!
Managed to afford to treat my dear Mama to a very stylish jacket from the Pilgrims Hospice shop as we hunter gathered our way through the arvo. Ab fab (darling) would have been proud.
Grazie Monsieur Fayed and Monsieur Lacroix...!
Monday, 9 April 2012
Thank you for the music...
I often think to myself, 'what a wonderful world!': especially after lovely holidays with lovely friends such as this last trip to Cotintin, Normandy, to stay with Ma Aviary plus Lucy Lu and Charlie Des Forges, Al Verey and Aviary herself. The Cohen songbook I bought along was definitely the right choice (we beatnicks!)
The final evening we were there, seated variously around the woodburning stove and the fireplace, a delicious asparagus risotto warming the cockles of our metaphors, the calvados bottle still with a little blessing to bestow, and the joy of the company very joyfully joyous - like a joyous thing! Bless you dear friends for such a lovely 'ickle trip - thanks of the extra special sort to Ma Aviary for really beyond-the-call-of-setting-a-benchmark generosity... what a wonderful world!
Lots of music over the Triduum since return on Thursday eve - quite a lot of playing the organ and singing along which evidently compromised on the quality of both organ playing and singing. BUT we got through!
After Mass yesterday (Easter Day) Barnanaby and I headed for the open road in his wondrous 1971 white Rover 2000 (with Toledo red interior). So glad to get down to Margate and see Rondle and Sus and dear Ma and Pa. We feasted on roast lamb and apple tart and red wine and a merry time was had by all - JP joined us separately a little later. Barn and I popped in to see (Aunty) Mary Watkins for a couple of hours en route - friend Lydia brought round extremement delicieuse cupcakes.
Photo which I will try and put up shortly was taken as we headed for a snifter at the Rose in June. Barnaby I think said it looked like a bunch of ageing rockers had reformed for a band reunion... apart from Sus I presume Barn!
Saturday just gone was an interesting day and somewhat Purgatorial...
I didn't sing in the end, but I did queue up 9 hours for an X factor audition.
MEA MAXIMA CULPA!!!!
The final evening we were there, seated variously around the woodburning stove and the fireplace, a delicious asparagus risotto warming the cockles of our metaphors, the calvados bottle still with a little blessing to bestow, and the joy of the company very joyfully joyous - like a joyous thing! Bless you dear friends for such a lovely 'ickle trip - thanks of the extra special sort to Ma Aviary for really beyond-the-call-of-setting-a-benchmark generosity... what a wonderful world!
Lots of music over the Triduum since return on Thursday eve - quite a lot of playing the organ and singing along which evidently compromised on the quality of both organ playing and singing. BUT we got through!
After Mass yesterday (Easter Day) Barnanaby and I headed for the open road in his wondrous 1971 white Rover 2000 (with Toledo red interior). So glad to get down to Margate and see Rondle and Sus and dear Ma and Pa. We feasted on roast lamb and apple tart and red wine and a merry time was had by all - JP joined us separately a little later. Barn and I popped in to see (Aunty) Mary Watkins for a couple of hours en route - friend Lydia brought round extremement delicieuse cupcakes.
Photo which I will try and put up shortly was taken as we headed for a snifter at the Rose in June. Barnaby I think said it looked like a bunch of ageing rockers had reformed for a band reunion... apart from Sus I presume Barn!
Saturday just gone was an interesting day and somewhat Purgatorial...
I didn't sing in the end, but I did queue up 9 hours for an X factor audition.
MEA MAXIMA CULPA!!!!
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
What's it all about: Amalfi?
Lunch and chat at the Barran-Pouleaupot's: Anna Longridge plus Jane and Johnno (Baz). Lovely weather (obviously) and old friends chatting animatedly about the sorts of things old friends chat about... (the Government, WWII, Johnny's music festival "Kew the Music", Jane's trip to China, etc etc, Polo.)
The 'Market' is a funny thing; kinda dominates a lot of thinking at the back of people's minds: more Vampire Calamari anyone?
It is inescapable for the time being, in that we have no alternative and stuff needs to keep sort of happening: but the love of money is a dangerous and terrible thing, even makes old friends get cross with each other (not in the instance above though: swift defuseage of that thought please!) Guess all forms of greed are cupiditastic: even greed for pomp and power and paternal influence and respect.
Radix malorum est cupiditas
(Evil stems from greed: I think I've used this tag before somewhere on the site. Don't have a lot of choice with my limited Latin! Sorry Dr Pratt. Mea maxima culpa...)
Good sermon on Sunday from The Rev. N.G. about friendship: if you want to make friends, show an interest in the other person. Secret of good conversation is the right questions. Like that. Not sure that all the friends I have ever made I would want to always keep - nor have I, nor have I been kept by - but Joyce writes about friendship for a reason and a season and a lifetime. Hear, hear.
I seem to remember hugging a tree with a friend called Marguerita, at a student party in about 1991 and thinking that life didn't get much better. (It has.)
One wants as ones friend, someone who gets you: who you are not frightened they are going to belittle or dismiss that which is important to you and to which one's being is intimately connected. One wants honesty. And one also wants kindness. In the end kindness is an honesty that takes everything into account, including one's feelings. Mercy, if you like, which triumphs over judgement.
'By mercy, mercy's yours.'
'The highest form of wisdom is kindness.'
Off on Monday morn, monastically early, to France, with Aviary to her Mum's house, plus Lulu and Charlie the ex-Monk and Al Verey and Noah (woof! woof!) First holiday abroad for 4 years, and while Amalfi would be lovely too (I suppose), Brittany will certainly do very nicely for the time being. Rare treat! Pray God it's a good trip and we are all still speaking three days later (well not Noah that is... be quite nice if he stays fairly quiet throughout!)
Molto grazie!
The 'Market' is a funny thing; kinda dominates a lot of thinking at the back of people's minds: more Vampire Calamari anyone?
It is inescapable for the time being, in that we have no alternative and stuff needs to keep sort of happening: but the love of money is a dangerous and terrible thing, even makes old friends get cross with each other (not in the instance above though: swift defuseage of that thought please!) Guess all forms of greed are cupiditastic: even greed for pomp and power and paternal influence and respect.
Radix malorum est cupiditas
(Evil stems from greed: I think I've used this tag before somewhere on the site. Don't have a lot of choice with my limited Latin! Sorry Dr Pratt. Mea maxima culpa...)
Good sermon on Sunday from The Rev. N.G. about friendship: if you want to make friends, show an interest in the other person. Secret of good conversation is the right questions. Like that. Not sure that all the friends I have ever made I would want to always keep - nor have I, nor have I been kept by - but Joyce writes about friendship for a reason and a season and a lifetime. Hear, hear.
I seem to remember hugging a tree with a friend called Marguerita, at a student party in about 1991 and thinking that life didn't get much better. (It has.)
One wants as ones friend, someone who gets you: who you are not frightened they are going to belittle or dismiss that which is important to you and to which one's being is intimately connected. One wants honesty. And one also wants kindness. In the end kindness is an honesty that takes everything into account, including one's feelings. Mercy, if you like, which triumphs over judgement.
'By mercy, mercy's yours.'
'The highest form of wisdom is kindness.'
Off on Monday morn, monastically early, to France, with Aviary to her Mum's house, plus Lulu and Charlie the ex-Monk and Al Verey and Noah (woof! woof!) First holiday abroad for 4 years, and while Amalfi would be lovely too (I suppose), Brittany will certainly do very nicely for the time being. Rare treat! Pray God it's a good trip and we are all still speaking three days later (well not Noah that is... be quite nice if he stays fairly quiet throughout!)
Molto grazie!
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Back in black: the return to Cafe Nero...
It's been a fairly hectic few weeks: apologies to any cyber stalkers waiting with baited mouse breath for a new posting - have hardly had time to think... let alone type!
Sunday: Mother's day... concert down in Barnes Wetlands for their lunchtime carvery... seemed to go quite well... pleasant and appreciative ripples of applause from a happy crew: nice to meet Verona Chard and excellent young (17!) pianist Chris Neill: lovely weather up in the tower of song, and technology that seemed to be working most clemently - thanks Keith (Chris' Dad).
That was after a morning service at St Ann's with Lulu Britton coming along to sing at our service - she did a nice Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod) and an excellent Benedictus from the Haydn Little Organ Mass, as featured the night before at the concert at Holy Trinity Clapham Common. (One or two more in the choir of 32 or so than in the audience - thanks to my guests for making the effort, especially Janey and Rondle).
Father Michael made Lulu and I collapse with guffaws in the car on the way to Barnes after the service... (thanks again for the lift Father)...
FM: "I apologise for the dirty state of my car"
JH: "Oh, don't worry you should see my parents'"
FM: (small pause...)"car?..."
Something about the timing just cracked us up!
Medici concert this Thursday at St Martin in the Fields: might get to conduct the men during the intoning in the Allegri and HAVE to start learning my solo...!!! NOTE TO SELF: (or N.T.S. if you're into T.L.A.'s - Three Letter Acronym's)
Well the harp practice is going well anyway...
Must dash: off to the Doc's this morn.
Grazie!
Sunday: Mother's day... concert down in Barnes Wetlands for their lunchtime carvery... seemed to go quite well... pleasant and appreciative ripples of applause from a happy crew: nice to meet Verona Chard and excellent young (17!) pianist Chris Neill: lovely weather up in the tower of song, and technology that seemed to be working most clemently - thanks Keith (Chris' Dad).
That was after a morning service at St Ann's with Lulu Britton coming along to sing at our service - she did a nice Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod) and an excellent Benedictus from the Haydn Little Organ Mass, as featured the night before at the concert at Holy Trinity Clapham Common. (One or two more in the choir of 32 or so than in the audience - thanks to my guests for making the effort, especially Janey and Rondle).
Father Michael made Lulu and I collapse with guffaws in the car on the way to Barnes after the service... (thanks again for the lift Father)...
FM: "I apologise for the dirty state of my car"
JH: "Oh, don't worry you should see my parents'"
FM: (small pause...)"car?..."
Something about the timing just cracked us up!
Medici concert this Thursday at St Martin in the Fields: might get to conduct the men during the intoning in the Allegri and HAVE to start learning my solo...!!! NOTE TO SELF: (or N.T.S. if you're into T.L.A.'s - Three Letter Acronym's)
Well the harp practice is going well anyway...
Must dash: off to the Doc's this morn.
Grazie!
Saturday, 3 March 2012
POETRY 'N THAT
We scuttled basementward, we three, we happy three, and merrily did we poem of the garments of God and Turkey Messiahs and spoke of booty like the night of cloudless climes and Clapham fires...
Barnaby and Joey came along to support me last night at the Living Room Cafe at Green's Court in Soho. (So handy...) THANKS GUYS!
Barn's got a gig on Friday 24th March at the Half Moon in South London, near Herne Hill BR. Supporters and fanz v.welcome.
Rollo Hoop (yes: that's correct!) sang very well last night: intimate, beautiful singing with a good lyric or two. Check him out on the usual sites.
Managed to beat my swimming length record this morning which was gratifying, although I vaguely remember swimming further when I was 10 - hey, things looked bigger in those days! Bumped into Bruce MacInnes plus 3 out of 4 munchkins at the pool... oh, village life!
Works at St Anthony's Harpertage continue apace: this arvo sees another attempt at the bedroom shelves and the new door handles. Project S.C.S. is gathering momentum - watch this space!
Lesson with new pupil from Medici Choir shortly.
Grazie!
Barnaby and Joey came along to support me last night at the Living Room Cafe at Green's Court in Soho. (So handy...) THANKS GUYS!
Barn's got a gig on Friday 24th March at the Half Moon in South London, near Herne Hill BR. Supporters and fanz v.welcome.
Rollo Hoop (yes: that's correct!) sang very well last night: intimate, beautiful singing with a good lyric or two. Check him out on the usual sites.
Managed to beat my swimming length record this morning which was gratifying, although I vaguely remember swimming further when I was 10 - hey, things looked bigger in those days! Bumped into Bruce MacInnes plus 3 out of 4 munchkins at the pool... oh, village life!
Works at St Anthony's Harpertage continue apace: this arvo sees another attempt at the bedroom shelves and the new door handles. Project S.C.S. is gathering momentum - watch this space!
Lesson with new pupil from Medici Choir shortly.
Grazie!
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Leap Year's day been and gone...
AAAAAAARGH! Been kind of busy - apols to anyone thinking since 20th February: "I wonder if he's put up any new posts?"
It's been refurbishing time at St Anthony's - one or two little additions to the fixtures and fittings, including 'Bluebell', my new, 34 string Clarsach Harp, delivered a week ago, via the back seat of Caroline's car, with self and Stella variously seated underneath it.
She's a real beaut, is Bluebell: have been trying to get in a few minutes practise in the morning before heading to Mass and sporadically during the day.
The harp is a very forgiving instrument - even complete beginners can still make a decent noise - rather different to my abortive attempts to learn the violin about 10 years ago... in the end I was thankful to have learnt a scale.
Talking of violin, Regina the nanny at Chez Menuet, (where I teach the three French munchkins), brought her lovely instrument along yesterday and we busked - (sorry!... I busked - she played beautifully and from memory,) the first movement of a Mozart Concerto. What a joy!
Meanwhile HJ-F was jumping from the bookshelf again at the end of his piano lesson - he puts on the automatic song on the keyboard which has a little introduction and as the tune gets going - and you're going to like this - he does a star jump into the air as the piano and orchestra play 'HAllelujah!'
(No comment about the enjoyment of his piano lesson I'm hoping...)
Lulu Britton and Aviary ventured to St Ann's on Sunday - Lu to road test her Faure Requiem Pie Jesu and Aviary to lend support in the choirloft. Lu sang so well, and Kally pulled out all the stops on the Mander - thank you Kally! - 10 in the choir and a lovely sunny day, which meant a drive through Richmond Park and lunch (lite) in the Red Cafe in the area. Then another lovely drive and to Gloucester Road, shopping with Lu.
Ah me!
If anyone's around, I've got a poem or two going on at the Living Room Cafe on Friday 2nd March at Greens Court, Soho, 8pm. Free entry and cafee und kuchen to buy.
There's to be another Literary Lunch very soon: watch this space!
Grazia!
It's been refurbishing time at St Anthony's - one or two little additions to the fixtures and fittings, including 'Bluebell', my new, 34 string Clarsach Harp, delivered a week ago, via the back seat of Caroline's car, with self and Stella variously seated underneath it.
She's a real beaut, is Bluebell: have been trying to get in a few minutes practise in the morning before heading to Mass and sporadically during the day.
The harp is a very forgiving instrument - even complete beginners can still make a decent noise - rather different to my abortive attempts to learn the violin about 10 years ago... in the end I was thankful to have learnt a scale.
Talking of violin, Regina the nanny at Chez Menuet, (where I teach the three French munchkins), brought her lovely instrument along yesterday and we busked - (sorry!... I busked - she played beautifully and from memory,) the first movement of a Mozart Concerto. What a joy!
Meanwhile HJ-F was jumping from the bookshelf again at the end of his piano lesson - he puts on the automatic song on the keyboard which has a little introduction and as the tune gets going - and you're going to like this - he does a star jump into the air as the piano and orchestra play 'HAllelujah!'
(No comment about the enjoyment of his piano lesson I'm hoping...)
Lulu Britton and Aviary ventured to St Ann's on Sunday - Lu to road test her Faure Requiem Pie Jesu and Aviary to lend support in the choirloft. Lu sang so well, and Kally pulled out all the stops on the Mander - thank you Kally! - 10 in the choir and a lovely sunny day, which meant a drive through Richmond Park and lunch (lite) in the Red Cafe in the area. Then another lovely drive and to Gloucester Road, shopping with Lu.
Ah me!
If anyone's around, I've got a poem or two going on at the Living Room Cafe on Friday 2nd March at Greens Court, Soho, 8pm. Free entry and cafee und kuchen to buy.
There's to be another Literary Lunch very soon: watch this space!
Grazia!
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