Posts

07/04/2024 - 'Father of the Bride' by David

Image
After two years of excitement following the announcement of their engagement, my daughter Rachel married her boyfriend Max this week, and it was a glorious and emotional day. The venue, a farmhouse with converted barns, within the island's West Wight countryside, was gorgeous, and the day was just perfect.  While the ladies were having their hair and make up done at the farmhouse, the men were in the annex trying on our jackets and ties. We could hear them laughing, helped along by prosecco, while we were sorting our button holes and pocket squares between kraken shots. I wore my dad's ring and the cufflinks with Father Of The Bride etched on them that Rachel had given me. I was also presented with a tie that had a photo of the two of us from when she was a baby, printed on the inside. It was a lovely touch, and I couldn't wait to see her in her dress. Since my diagnosis, Rachel and I have been hoping that my failing legs would allow me to walk her down the aisle,

31/03/2024 - 'Square vinyl records?' by David

Image
Over the last few months, I have been cataloguing my vinyl records on Discogs website, which also gives you an estimate of how much they are worth. I started collecting vinyl in the 70’s, when vinyl was at its absolute peak, and luckily, kept them all during the CD revolution, which was then followed by digital downloads, at a time when many of my friends sold, or even threw away their collections, as record players went out of fashion.  In the last few years, as vinyl has had a rebirth, and players are back on the shelves, I acquired some decks and a mixer, and have been DJ'ing in pubs around Southampton under the name DJ Tintin, after my childhood hero. The resurgence of vinyl has been as pleasing, as it was surprising, and I have been adding to my already large collection with new, and second hand albums and singles from record shops, auction sites, and charity shops.  Cataloguing my collection has taken quite a while, but I have now completed this enjoyable task, and have the a