Dear Mummy,

I have been thinking a lot lately, about the things you used to say; about the annoyed face you used to make when I would come downstairs after three days of not seeing you, with a pile of dishes stacked so high you could just about see the top of my head, and the even more annoyed face you would make when I would climb back up the stairs and return with 14 tea-stained cup, and a slightly bedraggled cat following me down into the living room.

I guess you never really appreciate how annoying mess is until you feel as if you have to take responsibility for it. When I was living with you, I felt like it was more your house than mine, and I didn’t feel bad about putting the dishes in the kitchen. Now I’ve moved out, and I’m paying rent, I get irritated when there is the smallest amount of mess around me, because I feel that, because I’m paying, everyone should keep it as tidy as I do.

I also want you to know that, regardless of the amount I love you, smoking smells, it makes your hair fuzzy and makes your clothes stink. Stop doing it. I thought I’d be getting away from the smoking, but my flatmate smokes, so boo-hoo.

I miss your silly questions about your laptop, and your spaghetti bolognese, and I miss Barney. I haven’t seen him in for ever.

It’s odd not being with you around Christmas as well, so I am looking forward to seeing you.

Lots of love

x

Do people who let their dogs lick their face, and their mouth specifically, lick their fingers after wiping their bum?

Is “he put his left foot in; his left foot out; in, out, in, out, shake it all about” really a children’s song/game, or a story about a man with Alzheimer’s taking a bath?

Why aren’t marbles made of marble?

What happens if an illiterate person eats alphabet soup?

Which way does a compass point in space?

I have been a bit slack about posting lately, but I actually have something to post about now, so here goes.

I remember a story my Mum used to tell about how she would always put off seeing Queen perform. One year Queen were performing and she actually had the chance to go, but didn’t, and said “I’ll see them next year”. Unfortunately that was the year Mr. Mercury died, and she never did get the chance.

As I’ve had more and more opportunities to see bands I like, that story has always stuck to me, and has often motivated me to go and see bands, regardless of the distance or cost.

Just last week, completely out of the blue, I discovered that the first band I ever properly got into were playing in the same city. Tickets were about £20 each, which wasn’t too expensive, so naturally I went, and I’m so very thankful. The Levellers have been going for twenty years now, and as much as their newer albums don’t have quite the same beauty about them as their earlier ones, especially Levelling the Land, they put on a fantastic show. Even their support acts were fantastic!

Unfortunately my camera failed me a few months ago, so I was unable to take any pictures, which is really disappointing. To make up for that, I bought a t-shirt, which I am wearing as I type.

It’s great to think that I have seen one of my all-time favourite bands though. If you are reading this and are considering going to see a band you like, but are unsure about the distance or cost, just do it. Life is all about having fun and spending the money you make. You’d regret not going if one of the members passed away or the band split up.

For the first time at a gig, I actually sat down. Tallis and I were tempted to go the main floor, but instead we went up to the balcony and just sat and enjoyed the music. The experience was just as good, and in some ways better. It was nice to just relax, instead of jump around amongst a crowd of sweaty people. It also made me realise that the objective of any guitarist in a band, when on stage, is to climb onto the highest thing possible, and then try balancing on it on one foot. It also made me notice the odd things people do when they are at a gig. There was an old couple in front of me, and whilst the lady was swaying from left to right, the man was putting on some form of exaggerated redneck knee slapping act, which was so fucking funny.

For such a small venue the volume was pretty impressive. It actually made me quite jealous. As a guitar player, you really don’t get a feeling that is similar to playing through a loud amp from anything in the world, and watching their frontman strut around with his Fender was just… inspiring.

I hope I get the chance to see them again, but if I don’t, at least now I can say that I’ve seen them, and I can happily walk around wearing my t-shirt. If you’ve not heard of The Levellers, do check them out, they’re fantastic.