Rob Noxious
Retro Supremo⭐
It seems that the older I get, the keener I am to preserve what's still good about life in this battered island. An example ... went into a pub in Penzance earlier this evening to check out whether it would be a good place to see some World Cup action in approximately 11 weeks' time. I'd been hooked in by the promise of a 'big screen' for such events, but found a collection of warnings. Firstly, the doorway was barred by refugee smokers, secondly the big screen was "broken" ... luckily, the pint of Tribute was rather good (hello, Glasgow SUFC :)) ... and lastly, the place was bedecked with kids' paraphernalia. Not long after, lo and behold, the young 'uns come in with their scooters and I exit stage right past the smokers after finishing the Tribute and reading a fine article by Tony Judt in last week-end's paper.
However, just down the road is an old boozer for old boozers called 'The Union.' Landlord clocks me as I come in, says to the the young barmaid "Bass," and after a bit of chat about her native Italy, I'm back to the paper and pint without fuss, no distractions except for a glorious Blues compilation cracking on from behind the bar. One particular track gets my attention and I start thinking, "...if only my brother were here, he would love this..." and I have to go up and ask my Caprian friend, "What is this track?" ... she had to consult the CD ('All That Blues') listing to advise me that it was 'The Walkin' Blues' by Lightnin' Hopkins.
I will be 50 this year and I am now liking the music of my brother's generation :stunned: ... someone once told me (when I was 29) that you can't reallly enjoy Van Morrison's music till you're 30. I must be a year ahead of my time ...
But seriously, folks ... what do you still consider great about life here? I had a rare epiphanous moment in 'The Union' to remind me that some of our pubs are still great. There's a lot of depressing stuff out there currently, but there are still some joys to be had from everyday public life, eg simple courtesies, stroking a cat, going to Roots Hall, going to an away game, seeing a good film, reading a great book, etc. Being a simple person, I'm interested in the simple things. Without tempting the swear/rudie filter, what simple joys do it for you?
However, just down the road is an old boozer for old boozers called 'The Union.' Landlord clocks me as I come in, says to the the young barmaid "Bass," and after a bit of chat about her native Italy, I'm back to the paper and pint without fuss, no distractions except for a glorious Blues compilation cracking on from behind the bar. One particular track gets my attention and I start thinking, "...if only my brother were here, he would love this..." and I have to go up and ask my Caprian friend, "What is this track?" ... she had to consult the CD ('All That Blues') listing to advise me that it was 'The Walkin' Blues' by Lightnin' Hopkins.
I will be 50 this year and I am now liking the music of my brother's generation :stunned: ... someone once told me (when I was 29) that you can't reallly enjoy Van Morrison's music till you're 30. I must be a year ahead of my time ...
But seriously, folks ... what do you still consider great about life here? I had a rare epiphanous moment in 'The Union' to remind me that some of our pubs are still great. There's a lot of depressing stuff out there currently, but there are still some joys to be had from everyday public life, eg simple courtesies, stroking a cat, going to Roots Hall, going to an away game, seeing a good film, reading a great book, etc. Being a simple person, I'm interested in the simple things. Without tempting the swear/rudie filter, what simple joys do it for you?
