Whimsical Musings of a Loon

Gabriel Yared performed a concert at the Millennium Centre on Friday night. Accompanied by the world class BBC Symphony Orchestra of Wales, Gabriel played a selection of his beautiful scores for films such as The English Patient , Betty Blue , Cold Mountain and my personal favourite, The Talented Mr Ripley . It was a heartfelt tribute to the late film director Anthony Minghella, who collaborated with Yared for many films. When I first became seriously interested in music, it was through film and soundtracks that this love grew from. I must confess I was never much of a classical music fan either, until I started watching more films. One of the first classical composers I began to appreciate was Beethoven, (rather alarmingly you might say) because of Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange . I guess this makes me rather Alex-esque. But I promise I am not into 'ultra-violence'. But soundtracks awakened my love of music. Which had always been there, but had been lying dormant. The Talen...

Sat right across from me, Drinking hot, steaming tea, Munching on a tasty bun, Whilst reading pages of the Sun. Blackened fingers and thumbs, Covered the table with crumbs. Forgive me whilst I scan, Every detail, Bearded Man. Letting out a disgruntled groan, Trying to text with his phone. And another long, wary sigh, The cake-counter catches eye. Right now I'm your biggest fan, You there Mr Bearded Man. (Drawing and poem by me)

A drawing of me by my good friend. I've never had anyone draw me before. Am I really that bizarrely bug-one-eye-bigger-than-the-other!?

I was channel hopping the other night, which sadly doesn't actually involve any hopping, because if it did it might help solve the obesity crisis across the country/globe. Since the birth of digital boxes, ITV, BBC and Channel 4 now seem to have 34985793487 begillion extra channels. But there still never seems to be anything on TV. Other than reality TV, Jeremy Kyle-style chat shows, cookery shows, house/DIY series and er soaps. I remember back in t'day *cue Hovis ad music* when there were only four channels (well, five really we had S4C in Wales), and I used to manage to watch a considerable amount of televisual delights. Admittedly most of that involved Scott & Charlene in Neighbours. And Mrs Mangel. I loved TV. It was the first thing I thought about waking up, and the last thing I thought about going to bed every night (apart from rugby of course). But in my channel hopping daze the other night, I am sure I found on separate channels, on the same time, about five differe...

I knew Santa had extra help, not even Usain Bolt could get around the world that quick. Are we all to be taken for fools?!

Do they? Well actually, they probably do. Look what happened to Titanic. Now, I like boats and I love the sea. We went out on our friend's motor boat on the weekend, one of those rib boats that zip around fast with the air blasting your face. It's all rather a lot of fun. Or can be. Safety first Captain, always; our friend is ultra prepared and he does all the safety checks - lifejackets (aye aye Captain), GPS (aye aye Captain), waterproof radio (aye aye Captain), ipod player (an essential! Aye aye Captain)...ecetera and so forth. But sometimes you just cannot prepare for the unexpected. Unless you're that psychic scouse guy Derek Acorn (or something) on Most Haunted (maybe). We were pootling around Cardiff Bay - speed restrictions in some of the areas naturally, so nothing too fast. We motored over to Penarth, we motored over towards the sailing club, we motored around the barrage. All lovely, all rather nice and refined. We pass many sailing boats (many of whom the sailor...

He left the house on one dark day, On his mind perhaps things did weigh, Maybe not and his life did glow, He never returned, we'll never know. He looked older, but was only a teen, At the chippie, he was last seen, Grainy video shows him alone, He disappears from frame into unknown. Photos remain of his handsome face, Last movements are a subject of trace. Memories from those who loved him most, His image, his person, is now a ghost. Questions his family always do vow, Just what does he look like today & now? They suffer in their constant reviewing, For not knowing what he is doing. Amongst all that, dark thoughts of wrong, Someone's foul hand, he is forever gone? Nothing is answered, things left to rue, What happened to him, I wish I knew. (Many people across the country go missing every week. If you have five minutes to spare, please check out the Missing People charity web site here )