*/Lights up… That resonates for me, Clicky…*
*/Drags… that’s not from 1967…*
*Ah, in that case, I do! …/stream smoke…*
Hey…Roob…could you be a shade more…vague? Three songs each from 1967? Am I to deduce that we are supposed to be thinking of songs from the year we were hatched? Or…conceived. Cause like…your parents musta been getting freaky in 1966 cause you were born in May of 1967. Me? I’m straight up 1967, cause I was born in November of 1967. Irrespective of the specifics, it’s not like I was listening to the radio as soon as I was born. So…what in the FUCK does music from 1967 mean to me?
I wonder what was going on, 15 November 1967. Anything interesting? I was already aware that MJ Adams died on that day piloting an X-15 aircraft, but anything else interesting going on? Especially in no-fucking-where Oklahoma where some tubby 9 pound 11 ounce kid was born in the wee hours of the morning?
1 + 9 + 6 + 7 = 23
2 + 3 = 5
One…five
Hrm
*Ah, the anthem of ‘The Summer of Love’, Clicky… /blows smoke rings… Incidentally, I Haight ASH and would love to see them buried… /flicks ash…*
On the 25th May 1967, Procol Harum’s ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ entered the UK charts for the first time. It didn’t get to No.1 until it dislodged the song that was topping the charts on the day of my birth…
*And what was No.1 on Cade’s birthday, Clicky?*
Turtles, eh? Kinda weird considering that I have two “power animals”…the donkey, and the turtle. That’s some fucked up power animals for someone to have, eh? Yeah, the scorpion is also a power animal of mine, but that goes without saying because I was born in November. Which, speaking of, did you know that Scorpio is a water sign?
Me neither
Just got an urge to look up songs from 1967 that dealt with “water”, and holy smokes…one caught my eye. Mainly because I wrote a song once where the lyrics were…
Another silly question…from the mouth of babes…you point me to…
One more empty portal…on a sinking ship…not much to do…
Pull my chain…and drag me…but don’t call my name.
Wrote another song where the lyrics were…
Left hand…right hand…whadda ya gonna do…
Got an empty soul…like a hole in my shoe.
Do you think maybe that “resonance” is a thing? Portal(s)? Water(s)? Syncing(s)? As far as I know, I’ve never heard this song in my life. Not until now anyway.
Hey Cade… ‘Hole In My Shoe’ got to No.2 of the UK charts in 1967 and again in the eighties with Neil from the ‘Young Ones’…
*If I’d been born a boy, I’d have been called Neil… /sigh…1984. Again. I swear, I’m being stalked by that year, Clicky… /thinks… I wonder if it’s ‘cos I lost my virginity during the first couple of hours of 1984. I was drunk…*
OK…um…hrm. Just blasted through the top 30 songs of 1967, and a few of them tickled my fancy. The Monkees ‘I’m A Believer‘ charted in 1967, and it grabbed me because I almost used ‘Last Train To Clarksville‘ and ‘Hey Hey We’re The Monkees‘ in the previous post. ‘Soul Man‘ by Sam & Dave also grabbed me, but primarily because of The Blues Brothers. Aretha Franklin’s “Respect‘ appears to have charted in 1967, and she had an appearance in the Blues Brothers movie singing ‘Think‘. ‘Incense And Peppermints‘ by Strawberry Alarm Clock also rang some bells, and ‘Windy‘ by The Association was another song I was quite familiar with.
All that said, this one actually means a special something to me because I listened to it on vinyl a lot as a kid. Completely perplexing song for a young mind. I didn’t “get it”. Could not understand it. Why, in the hell, would someone …EVER… jump off a bridge?
*Agreed, Clicky. These Song Challenge posts are a bit missive-ish… /stubs butt…*
After I finished writing last night, it occurred to me that it had gone past midnight, and was now January 4th. The significance? My daughter was born on this day in 2000. My daughter turns 20 in 2020. Weird.
Digress
Considering the subject matter, loads of memories came flooding back. Music and movies of the time, things that were going on in the world, things that were going on in my own life, they were some strange times. The new millennium, the arguments over when the new millennium actually started, the Internet was moving into the mainstream, the Y2K Bug didn’t kill us all 4 days ago, the “DOT COM” bubble, the mortgage refinance boom was flagging, not to mention that 9/11, Freedom Fries, The Patriot Act, Homeland Security, and a shitload of war was right around the corner…although we didn’t know it yet. Or did we?
Did some digging for songs that were released on 4 January of 2000, and stumbled across an interesting footnote type of thing from that date…an album released called ‘Before The Buildings Fell‘ by Black Tape For A Blue Girl. It appears that the album was originally released in 1986, but was re-released on “enhanced CD” in 2000. Anyone remember “enhanced CDs“? Another weird curiosity from the time. And speaking of curiosities, it looks like someone uploaded the whole CD to YouTube about a month ago. Good timing, eh?
HBD Kiddo
*Unless you read the description enclosed, Clicky…*
*/flicks lighter…*
*/lights up…*
*/drags…*
*/streams smoke…*
*/coughs…*
*/spits…*
*/smokes…*
*/taps ash…*
*/stubs butt…*
*Good afternoon, Clicky… /pats snout… You’ve got the enormous chair out… /lights up… Good call!*
*Ooh chocolate! Thank you… /breaks off piece…*
*How Thoughtful Man allowed the scary clown to remain, Clicky, I’ll never know… /He’s scared of clowns…*
*/:O … Has it only been 5 years? Wow, feels longer… /smokes fag…*
*Roobot… /smirks… I met one this week…*
*Yeah, I know… Pepper…*
*Ha! I mentioned Stephen King’s ‘It’ in comments… /sticks out tongue…
*The film opens tonight and apparently the people going will be dressing up as clowns… /grimaces… Thoughtful Man’s working tonight – he’s gonna shit himself! … /drags… Enough of that, Clicky, I want to get onto the rats…*
*/:D… Nice catch! …stubs butt…*
*/lights up… That’s right Click… /inhales smoke… Roobee everywear… /exhales…*
*And I guess ‘FoG’ could be Friends of Georgie? … /rolls eyes…*
*/puffs… Don’t worry, Clicky, if I remember rightly, the rats didn’t so much float as get a bit singed…*
*A Song already? …/deep drag…*
*Oh I see… /finishes fag… Well I suppose this Library outing is quite long enough…*
Sell-by date is from 1972.
*/lights up fag… When he says ‘right‘, Clicky, how far right do you reckon he’s finking?*
*That far? …/exhales plume of smoke…*
In the corner of Duncan Selbie’s fifth floor office in Waterloo, a stone’s throw from The Old Vic, there is a small plaque bearing a quote from the founder of analytical psychology, Carl Jung: “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
‘Selbie, who has been chief executive at Public Health England since this autonomous arm of the NHS was forged from 129 health agencies – including the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse and the Health Protection Agency – three years ago, looks embarrassed when asked about the quote.
‘The 53-year-old Scot mumbles that it was given to him by a communications executive. He is already blushing about a certificate from the Institute of Healthcare Management that hangs proudly on his wall, and he is clearly uncomfortable explaining why he received it.
‘“I’m very British, you see, so how can I say it’s for ‘Outstanding Contribution for Leadership’?” he smiles, awkwardly. “I’m not North American.”
‘Eventually, he matter-of-factly states what Jung’s quote means to him: “Public health is all about futures that don’t yet exist.”’
*Quite, Clicky! …/drags… Btw, that clip appears to go in and out of sync…*
As well as economics, Selbie believes that companionship is key to a healthier life. He’s aware that might sound a little new age, but points out that this can be as simple as an elderly person being comfortable in the knowledge they have someone to take them home after a hospital operation.
‘He has backed interventionist measures, such as the sugar tax. And he urged hospitals to ban smoking anywhere.’
In 1961, Bill Wilson wrote to Jung saying that his teachings were a pivotal inspiration for him in co-founding Alcoholics Anonymous. Selbie lacks the audacity of a North American like Wilson to link himself so closely with Jung.
But it’s clear the softly spoken Scot’s plaque means more to him than he lets on. Be it alcohol, tobacco or safe sex, Selbie believes that the country needs to take a good look at itself and its wider problems before it can fully resolve its health issues.
1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (dominical letter BA) of the Gregorian calendar, the 1972nd year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 972nd year of the 2nd millennium, the 72nd year of the 20th century, and the 3rd year of the 1970s decade.
Within the context of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) it was the longest year ever, as two leap seconds were added during this 366-day year, an event which has not since been repeated. (If its start and end are defined using mean solar time [the legal time scale], its duration was 31622401.141 seconds of Terrestrial Time (or Ephemeris Time), which is slightly shorter than 1908).[1]
*’Amendment’? Yeah… ‘Morals and manners’? Most Definitely… ‘Accentuation’? …/wipes tear from eye… Doubly definitely, Clicky… ‘The self-satisfied’? I dunno about that, but I laughed like a drain…*
*/lights another smoke…*
*/taps off ash…*
*/drags some more…*
*/stubs out butt… Yes, yes I am Clicky…*
*/lights up… Too fucking right, Clicky…*
*/take puff and rests cigarette in ashtray… You know what Clicky, I’m so happy to have been able to help my two online chums in their budding ventures, I fancy having a little dance…*
*Nice! …/retrieves fag and resumes smoking…*
*I am not a princess, Clicky! …/looks aghast… *
*/sniff… Sandwich Queen, maybe… Now stop interrupting me…*
*No, Clicky, my pen name’s Roo B. Doo… sounds like RooBeeDoo…*
*Yeah well I’m rather more fond of a shamble than Tiff… /shoos away assistant… Now, stop butting in…*
*/Squints… It’s his pub, Clicky… Leggy’s the gaffer and I fully respect that… Now fuck off for a minute, I want to put the poem in…*
*Oh yeah… Anyone that knows me, noses there was only one giant, I’d take on, Clicky…*
I was between the Library and the room containing the fridge and cooker when Loopy called out.
“Yes, but first I’m turning on some lights and then I’m going upstairs to pee. Why?” I said, stopping in the doorway and clicking on the overhead light.
Loops in naked, teenage hairiness (except for pants – wear knot animals 😉 ), glided round into view. He was sitting in his Captain’s gaming chair, whilst Poppy lay sleeping along the length of his long, lanky legs. He languidly caressed her back, to which she responded with low, contented snores.
“Can I have a sandwich?” he asked with the innocence of 21st century Oliver Twist.
Thoughtful Man was out; however, earlier we’d decided secretly between the two of us – after a short but satisfying cuddle, before he got into the bath I’d thoughtfully drawn him – that he’d bring KFC home, when he finished work. I’d licked my lips at his whispered suggestion, and told him “Yes please.”
“Dad will probably bring something home with him later,” I told Loopy, knowing exactly how much food my children can put away over the course of a day. “What kind of sandwich?”
Loops eyed me coolly, his hand lingering over Poppy’s soft, velvety ears. “Pigeon.”
“I’m fresh out of pigeon,” I replied with a sagacious squint. “You can have ham.”
*Clicky! Where’s that video clip Loops showed me… /lifts up cushions… You know, the funniest pigeon video I said he could use as the filling…*
*/peers behind curtains… Oh, I don’t know, it’s gotta be hear sumwear…*
*Thank you, Clicky… /pats snout… Now pass me a rollie…*
I didn’t turn round to answer Thoughtful Man as I was trying not to lose focus. “Taking photos.”
“No, I can see that,” he said with his usual air of exasperation. “What are you photographing and why?”
“Oh, it’s a sweetie present Poppy sent me,” I said. “It’s for a LoL post.”
“What?” he asked with his usual air of confusion. “Da baby leaves us presents but they ain’t so sweet,” he continued in a baby sing-song voice.
Now I was confused so turned round to see him holding our darling dooshund, Poppy. He was obviously addressing her with the cutesy tone. She could obviously smell something tasty, as she was attempting to dig her way out from under his arm to get to me.
“Ah, not Popstar here, Leggy’s girlfriend Poppy from Denmark… she’s sent me some Spunk. Would you like to try some?” I asked innocently.
“No thanks,” he said wrinkling his nose. “Spunk? Have you tried them yet?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
I adopted a serious expression. “Well, they’re hard jellies. The fruity flavoured ones are nice but got stuck in my throat. I’m afraid I spat the salty liquorice one out,” I reported.
Thoughtful Man looked at me intently. “So you both spit and swallow Spunk,” he said slowly, “and you’re going to tell everyone this in a post?”
“Yes,” I said with a vigorous nod. “She also sent me some pipes in a handy travel pack.”
“Oh for god’s sake,” he sighed with his usual air of weariness, turning to leave with the pooch. “Ploppy and I are off the bed. Have fun with your sex and smoking whatever…”
I also received an image of a book this morning, from MEROVEE Frank…
And then a tweet caught my attention…
So I opened it and read the mined lines…
*I saw that, Clicky… the Librarian has an understanding of the power of L-Space…*
‘prestigious (adj.)1540s, “practicing illusion or magic, deceptive,” from Latin praestigious “full of tricks,” from praestigiae “juggler’s tricks,” probably altered by dissimilation from praestrigiae, from praestringere “to blind, blindfold, dazzle,” from prae “before” (see pre-) + stringere “to tie or bind” (see strain (v.)). Derogatory until 19c.; meaning “having dazzling influence” is attested from 1913 (see prestige). Related: Prestigiously; prestigiousness.’
I’d seen and listened to ‘The Strain‘ just last night…
*Ah, Clicky… SA Vile… They really went to town on him after he was dead and unable to mount a defence…*
Thoughtful Man and Poppy returned from their afternoon nap. I was glued to my screen, constructing my post.
“Are you still at it?” he asked dumping the dog on my lap before taking his customary place in the Library.
“Hmm? Yes… did you have a good sleep?”
Thoughtful Man yawned and set Clicky to work. “No, the bitch took up most of the bed. Did you see that a train crashed in New York earlier?”
I looked up startled – I’d just been looking at a train video. “No. I’ve been doing this. What happened?” I opened a tab to check the news.
*Hobo Ken… is that like tramp knowledge… Street smarts, Clicky? …/thinks… Have a Song…*
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