Who knows where the time goes?

Happy 2015 dear reader.

I've had a very busy three weeks since my last post. Concert after concert, as well as the usual Christmas festivities etc. It’s now the second of January and with the exception of going to see Sixfold performing at the Hob in Forest Hill tonight, it’s back to normal.

I will do a quick review of the past year and where the blog goes next over the weekend, and once I have had a chance to think about it. The whole blog idea came out of a New Year’s resolution; in the last few weeks I have been so busy that I haven’t managed to come up with plans for 2015 yet.

But after ten pre-Christmas gigs ranging from opening a school fete to the Albert Hall the last week has been a chance to relax a little bit, catch up with a few people and indulge too much. Christmas day itself involved a quiet dinner with the kids; the time since has included big band jazz at the Hideaway, playing the New Year in on the ukulele, and quite a lot of festive spirit.

I didn't dare stand on the scales this morning, but I know a few pounds have crept on over Christmas. They will be leaving during January, I can assure you.

So, once again, Happy New Year one and all. I hope it’s a good one for all of us.

Easter - it's more than just chocolate bunnies you know.

It's been nice to have a few days off. Not done a lot mind; went to see Sixfold playing in Forest Hill on Friday - which was really enjoyable. And since then have been to the gym a couple of times, done some paperwork and slept. All things that needed to be done, but lacking the wow factor.

But Easter is a time for reflection, so I guess that's OK. I am not a believer - far from it - but I'm not evangelical about it any more. There are bigoted idiot Christians; but there are bigoted atheists too. Most in either camp have their hearts in the right place and we should fight against dogma and bigotry regardless of source. I don't buy Christian morals and values or Christian generosity; I can quite easily refrain from killing sprees without feeling the hand of God on my shoulder. Most of us are good, most of the time.

So it was nice to see the Mail on Sunday today lay into food banks for being a soft touch. I am ashamed to think that we are in a country where kids go to school hungry. Where people have to choose between heating and food. Or ask at the foodbank for stuff that doesn't have to be cooked because they cannot afford the power. Could you find one person who has exaggerated a bit to get stuff from a charity? I'm guessing so. Just like people exaggerate their insurance claims or their CVs.

Many people must be hugely ashamed to have to go to strangers for food. It's not begging, but it's not far off. And foodbanks do have criteria, requiring a referral and limiting the number of visits.

Most of the foodbanks, at least in South London, are run by churches. This is an area where religions do score over atheists. Not generosity, but organisation. Churches have buildings and regular meetings - it makes that easier. It's just a shame that they have to.

So, as you unwrap your next Lindt chocolate bunny, say a word of thanks. To God, dumb luck, the invisible Pink Unicorn (Bless Her Holy Hooves), whatever you like, for the fact you are one of those who have enough to eat. And next time a foodbank is collecting outside your supermarket, but something extra and give it to them. Perhaps buy it instead of a newspaper.

Or give them some money direct - The Trussell Trust is running a drive on Just Giving for Easter. I did, and the good feeling lasted a lot longer than the one that the chocolate gives.

Can't be bothered

There's been quite a lot of stuff going on in the world, but I am really struggling to raise the enthusiasm to watch it, let alone to blog about it. Winter Olympics, more rain, Royals shooting things. All a bit 'meh' really.

Yesterday I did go and see a couple of friends in their new band - Sixfold. Not bad at all. The venue had all the charm you would expect from a village community centre somewhere outside Maidstone. But the band has done enough work together that it was really starting to work as a band, and not just a group of players. If you are in Maidstone on the evening of 28th Feb, then a) poor you, but b) go and check out Sixfold at Bar 10.

Other than that, as the first paragraph probably tells you, I'm in one of my 'just leave me the f**k alone' moods. This happens once in a while, with no direct cause I can ever find, and it goes again pretty much as quickly, usually after a week or a bit less. Only identifiable precursor is that it always comes after a week where I sleep badly. But there are other times when I sleep badly and it doesn't happen. So you guess is as good as mine.

The main effect is actually just a sort of lethargy - it has taken a great deal of effort to even write this post. For those of you who know me well, if I say that this is being written on my new baby laptop, and I haven't even looked at it until now, all weekend, that gives you an idea.

Weekends are definitely the hardest time to cope with this. There are people to be nice to, and no fixed routine, so its easy to do nothing - which doesn't help. Come work tomorrow I won't be at my incisive best, but will have enough to do that I can get on with and it will start to lift.

So, lacking inspiration to write about anything in particular, I will I think go and read a book, and tune back in later.

Thank you

Firstly, a very big 'Thank you' to all those who have read my blog recently, and particularly to those who have sent feedback or messages.

I spent much of today in Central London, and the Tube strike meant a lot of walking. I love to see London on foot - it is a city in a constant state of change - new buildings, demolitions, roadworks. I don't think it has the sheer energy and aggression of New York - we're a bit too nice for that - but it's still a fabulous city. Provided you can afford to live in it of course, but that's another story.

It also meant I got home a little earlier than usual, which allowed me to get to the gym. Astonished how busy it was at 6pm. So, feeling virtuous (bordering on smug), I can spend the night practicing some music, and then watch Charlie Brooker and turn in early.

This weekend I am going to see a couple of good friends' new band 'Sixfold' doing its first gig somewhere in Kent (it's not a secret - I just can't remember). And other than that, it seems like it will be a quiet one. Much needed.