Life, an update

Ahoy hoy.
I'm no good at this blogging thing. I'm easily distracted. Mind you I always have been, in fact some years back, my ability to be distracted hastened the end of a fairly bumpy relationship. Looking back I suppose it wasn't the brightest move on my part to try to phone in to a competition on Kevin Greening's Radio 1 show slap bang in the middle of a blazing row with my then girlfriend, but I did... Mind you, at the time 95% of our time was taken up with fighting, so whenever i phoned it would have been a bad time.
And in truth, I'd probably still do it. Apart from the fact that I'm unlikely to listen to Radio One again in a hurry, and of course Mr Greening has long since ceased from doing phone in competitions. Among other things.
Sorry I digress. See, easily distracted, told you.
Thinking back now, the prize was the complete back catalogue of the Pet Shop Boys on cd. Which at the time I already owned. Twice over. Still, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Although I'm pretty sure that "It Seemed A good Idea At The Time" may become my motto in life.
I went out a couple of weeks ago with some "young people" these dyas they are all into skiffle, hanging round milk bars, listening to the popular beat combos of the day, and we went out for a couple of drinks, and suddenly after a while I found myself thinking, "Hold on, it's daylight again...how did that happen?" Now I'm nearly 40, I work in a popular High Street bank, well, I work in a bank anyway, and my life has calmed down a lot since the 90's. I got home at 5am, and I finally recovered about 10 days later. 10 days. They want to do it again next week. This time dressed as PIRATES!
I can't do it.
There was a time when I could go out till 5, and indeed later, and still make it into work for 9. And there was a time when I would have been happy to go out as a Pirate. But not now. I'm old enough to be their dad. I take 10 days to recover. They want to hit the town, and all I can think about is, "But I'm going to miss Casualty".
So, now, here on this patchy blog, I shall admit it. Say it loud, say it proud...
I am middle aged.
There, I've said it. I don't want to be up at 5am anymore.
Oh shit, I've just realised my life has become a Janis Ian lyric. Again. Only this time I'm not depressed about being 17 anymore...

Tea and Sympathy

I don't want to ride the milk train anymore
I'll go to bed at nine and waken with the dawn
And lunch at half past noon and dinner prompt at five
The comfort of a few old friends long past their prime

Pass the tea and sympathy for the good old days long gone
We'll drink a toast to those who most believe in what they've won
It's a long, long time 'til morning plays wasted on the dawn
And I'll not write another line, for my true love is gone

When the guests have gone, I'll tidy up the rooms
And turn the covers down, and gazing at the moon
Will pray to go quite mad and live in long ago
When you and I were one, so very long ago

Pass the tea and sympathy for the good old days long gone
We'll drink a toast to those who most believe in what they've won
It's a long, long time 'til morning plays wasted on the dawn
And I'll not write another line, for my true love is gone

When I have no dreams to give you anymore
I'll light a blazing fire and wait within the door
And throw my life away, "I wonder why?" they all will say
And now I lay me down to sleep, forever and a day


Pass the tea and sympathy, for the good old days are dead
Let's drink a toast to those who best survived the life they've led
It's a long, long time 'til morning, so build your fires high
Now I lay me down to sleep, forever by your side

See. Easily distracted.
Right, I suggest that if you haven't already, get yourself a copy of Between The Lines by Janis Ian. Forgive my ramblings today, this isn't the post I was going to do. But you know how it is.
Oh, and count the shadows.