Bearcub's Soapbox

The site I joined recently for musicians classifieds ads was less that fruitful. I never became a drummer in a band (Thankfully for all concerned I think!). No-one else ever contacted me.

Well that was a waste of money says me.

However, after cancelling the advert, recent events have transpired.

I got talking to a customer who is a muso, and suggested we sort something out. He was most eager. We agreed to do something musically, and he suggested M & I come down and watch him play in a band, last Wednesday. So we did. And they didn't have a bass player... They played an entire gig with no bassist. So I offered my services as they had no bass player. They accepted.

I'M A BASS PLAYER IN A BAND!!!!! IT'S BEEN FIFTEEN BLOODY YEARS BUT I'M BACK IN A BAND!!!!!!!

The best bit? The guitarist is really wanting to sort out three part harmony vocals, which is what I've worked hardest on for the last 15 years!!!!!! Yes!

One Bubbling Over, Bouncing, Bassplaying Bearcub!!!!!!
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We went tonight to pick up M's 4x4 from the dealer, having had it pass it's MOT. (Good news in itself). When I got home, I went in to the lounge to make a fuss of L'il Boo the cat. He was sat very still in front of something dark on the carpet. My initial thought was: "Oh hell, what's he wrecked now?" (He's notorious for attacking anything left lying around). I inspected closer, looking around as I did so for further evidence. His smug expression was unusual, and not the standard gormless "Hello Daddy" look.

Lo and behold: the little bugger caught a mouse!!! He's a bloody housecat and has been for three and a half years. Seems the mouser instinct never left him!

You should have seen the self satisfied look on his face when he got his reward of some shredded crab meat! that's pretty accurate!

Bearcub
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PS In case you're wondering, I don't live in a mouse infested hovel, but the house is 116 years old with original chimneys still open, so the occasional visitor is expected from time to time.

Last weekend at a Chamber of Commerce Gala Ball. I spoke to some execs from a radio station. I was a bit . They were a bit . I offered my services as a recording musician to create music for some of their adverts. They are coming next week to see my studio and have a meeting. Wow. I'm kacking myself...

Today, a musician came in to the shop to send flowers to his girlfriend. I asked if he wanted to join forces and work together. He said yes and would be in touch. We swapped numbers and he text me to say he was well up for it! Wow!

How bold have I been after years of working solo?!

Bearcub
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I've decided to shunt IE off the top spot on the computer. For too long now, I've been labouring under the impression that IE was the only way to go. Tried Firefox, didn't like it. Seen Opera, ditto.

Now I've found Google Chrome. Very fast, very neat, uncluttered interface, no rediculous security options that just bugger up your websites. 

Very workable, very happy. Now If only I could get away from Windows altogether, I could finally flick two fingers at Bill Gates. However, I can't afford a mac, I can't use a mac, and I know nothing about linux. I'm too damn long in the tooth to change operating systems, and M would stand no chance. I'm still waiting for him to try chrome... with baited breath

Here's hoping!

Bearcub
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My virus "protection" - and I use that word ironically, managed to let a fleet of viruses on to our hard drive, as reported yesterday. It detected some of them after they were already in, and was completely unable to remove them.

I did a bit of research on a laptop and discovered some freeware called: Malbytes Anti-malware.

You can buy a full version, but the freeware one found 41 instances of these 10 viruses, catching them as they spread throughout the system and cleared every single one in 2 hours.

I am now warning everyone - AVG Free edition virus protection is not all it's cracked up to be. It proposes to protect your computer, yet it actually just identifies problems that it lets in, then can't actually fix them.

Anyone else using it would be wise to take a look at the Malbytes free software to use as a regular backup!

B
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Just spent most of my day off clearing viruses from my computer - damn it, but M got drunk last night (as did I) and then went on a bunch of dodgy websites... and I've had to spend a portion of the day fixing the damn comp!

Bugger!

Bearcub
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It's a couple of days late for 11/11, but this is more of a wish that the mistakes of the past shall not be repeated.

And yes, this is my own composition.

How Long
Lyrics by Jon Marsland

Facing one another across the ocean of hate
Defending what they feel is just, like schoolyard bullies by the gate
We must stand tall against the evil
The message is right, but backed up by might, the sentiment is wrong

How Long? Till the killing is over
How Long? Till the fear is gone

We should be able to stand Side by side
Allowing room to feel, the differences fade away
We're all the same inside
Justified in the name of God Almighty
Peace through terror, Why can it not just be peace?

How Long? Till the killing is over
How Long? Till the fear is gone

Bearcub
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Went out yesterday for a wander round the shops when I should have been working (Ah the joy of being one of the bosses), and went in to the local computer game shop. In there was a game that M and I used to play in the arcades called House of The Dead (it was actually a series - we completed the first one, and fought the second to a standstill). In the process we spent a small fortune in said arcades...

I saw the disc, which was HOTD 2 & 3 combined, and thought - great! Money saver!!!! However, I then decided that the Wii remote was not enough like a gun, so bought the holder to go with it. I figured that one of us could manage with just the remote.

But it was M that sent me back out for a second gun grip...

And now I'm in the process of fighting the second one to a standstill again!!!!!

Bearcub
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Yay! M comes home today from two weeks Holiday In Gran Canaria! Hooray!

Happy little Bearcub!
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Was sat watchin TV tonight, and thought, "Chuff this, I'm bored - what can I do?" Solution? Outside on the skateboard. The weather was cold, and wet, having been raining for a part of the day. And I've found a couple of really good places. Tesco's Car Park is just perfect - however I couldn't find anyone to ask if I was okay to use an empty section of it, so I decided to move on. Along the way, I did take a couple of spills. You know, the board stops, you don't, that kind of think. At one point I banged my knee which is now a smidgin sore, but it was just worth every minute. Each spill actually raised my confidence because I didn't hurt myself more than the odd bump... I just burst out laughing and was grateful that no-one saw me. Although, if security was watching, they'll have had a good chuckle as the board shot out from under me, and I ended up on my rump!

And more to the point - it's a bloody good workout...

Ickle Boarding Bearcub
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Good news, hand is not broken, just bruised or poss chipped bone... best news is that I can still play without pain!

One very relieved little Bearcub
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Shortly after find beard hairs turning grey, some kind of early mid life crisis seems to have developed. I've been out today and bought a skate board... At 15 that's okay, but at 29, everyone just cracked up laughing. Which is strange 'cause I went out tonight and found a couple of kiss-ass places to board, and had a great time!

So come on guys: Midlife Crisis, or Sane Second Childhood?

Bearcub
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Barrack Obama has won the US Elections, putting the Democrats in the White House.

I hope that he achieves everything he has promised, as this could be a new dawn, and see the end of hostilities between the west and the middle east.

Perhaps we'll even see a reduction in the price of oil when the fighting stops, and the talks begin.

Lets hope now that Gordon Brown continues to follow George W Bush, and resigns, to allow someone who was actually elected to be PM to run the country.

Fingers Crossed eh?

Bearcub
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P.S. In case you're wondering, I don't support either side, Labour or Conservative, Democrat or Republican. I simply speak as I see.

1. WHO WERE YOU NAMED AFTER?
No-one in particular - my brother was named after both uncles, I think mine just sounded right when you said all three kids!

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Friday 31st October - was thinking about my late friend on the anniversary of his death.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yeah, it's really quite scripted when I concentrate!

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Roast Chicken.

5. DO YOU HAVE, OR HAVE YOU EVER HAD, PETS? HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD PETS?
Got one cat called Tyler, Before that three pet rats, a guinea pig and two dogs! Although not all at the same time...

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes, I'm wonderful! And a complete bastard. Uh, dunno now...

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
See above.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
No, long gone.

9. WOULD YOU JUMP OUT OF AN AIRPLANE?
Depends if it was on the ground or not. I don't even like getting on them!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?
Kellogs Corn flakes with Ice Cold Milk & sugar. At 11pm at night.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No, just slip 'em straight off!

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Phenomenally so for someone so small.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM?
Mint Choc Chip.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Eyes, always the eyes.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOU?
My feet - eurch! Hate feet of any kind.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My Gran & Grandad, My Big Sis who lives in Reading, Late friend Lee.

18. WHAT COLOUR TOP AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Grey Top, Off White Trainers (They used to be white but they're okay now)

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Some sort of Italian Chicken ready meal thing.

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Dragon's Den on Dave.

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Rainbow coloured of course.

22. FAVOURITE SMELLS
Eternity Aftershave.

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
A lovely lady who's Nephew's funeral tribute I had just finished. She was very kind and gentle. She warmed my heart every time I spoke to her.

24. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Errr... sport? Moi? OKay - typical gay response, Rugby because of the shorts! Seriously, probably the olympic diving. They are fantastic.

25. HAIR COLOUR?
Auburn, with hints of grey.

26. EYE COLOUR?
Bluey grey

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No, 20/20 vision.

28. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Scary Movies.

29. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Transformers Movie on DVD Last night. Monsters Inc. tonight.

30. WHAT COLOUR TROUSERS, JEANS OR SKIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Black Heavy Duty Combat pants.

31. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer - hate winter.

32. HUGS OR KISSES?
I have to choose??

33. FAVOURITE DESSERT?
Key Lime Pie - reminds me of Lee.

34. WHAT'S OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOWS RIGHT NOW?
My shop.

35. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Uh, my mouse?

36. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Just the Transformers DVD

37. FAVOURITE SOUND?
My guitar at high volumes. I've spent thousands of pounds to get the sound right, and I've finally got what I want.

38. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Neither - Queen & Pink Floyd.

39. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Either Turkey Or Gran Canaria.

40. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Yeah, but I can't tell you here...

41. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

Bearcub
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And just to really take the p1ss, I've just had a shower, and discovered half a dozen grey hairs in my beard... I'm only 29, I figure that life always has one more kick in the nuts...

However, they ain't grey yet, so I suppose I've still got something!!!!

Bearcub

You know those days when you wish you hadn't gotten up?

Try working all morning, then smashing your hand on the shop front door.

Bad enough? No.

Try realising that I could have broken something in my hand (my left hand - the most important part of my guitar playing).

damn. and blast. and f@ck.

four nurofen down in 5 hours, and I'm still in pain.

And the penny has just dropped that I might not be able to play for a little while...

Bollocks.

Bearcub
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