I always wanted a blog page - now I got one!! Although I've often dropped in on other folk's logs I never thought "Why not me?" At some stage while building my website the lightbulb suddenly lit up and here it is! Why Spiderman? Well now that's a small deference to my nephew Will who used to actually BE Spiderman! And he's a cute kid too, aintcha Billy?

Not really sure where to begin, but the US election seems to be a goood place to start, what with them being imminent. Although I now live in the UK, I also lived in Boston and LA for 10 years during the Reagan era and I feel qualified to say - what a pity he couldn't stay. THIS cowboy - ol' Dubya - is going to NUKE somebody during his second term. Don't say I didn't warn all you good folks who think he will be the valiant protector of his god-fearin' fella' citizens. God help America!

"They wrote in the old days that it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. But in modern war, there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason." - Ernest Hemmingway.

"I do not mean to exclude altogether the idea of patriotism. I know it exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward." - George Washington

Yeah, like oil? How many good Americans will die in Fallujah soon?

Well, whatever. I just don't get so steamed about politics any more (and definitely a lot less!) since I retired last May. And as soon as possible - if I can ever get this crash pad (house) of mine sold off - I'm headed for the sun in Spain. No, not the plains; that's where it rains! On the sunny Costa Blanca where the mediterranean diet will replace Atkins.

14th November 2004 - TV Twubbles

Second Posting - 1st December 2006 (from Torrevieja on the sunny Costa Blanca!)

Now that's what I'd call a long time between blogs! Reason being that I am now living in Spain on the Costa Blanca (told you I'd make it!!). And yes, it is sunny! I have discovered SINGING as an outlet for my numerous talents and sing with a Barbershop Chorus called "The Harmonisers" and it's seriously good fun. We've played a few concerts at local theatres, both on our own and as support for visiting choirs form the UK. Most recent has been the Rame Peninsula Choir from Cornwall and got standing ovations from the mixed Spanish/English audience. Christmas will be a busy time!

Just want to add my wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to my family and all my good friends in UK, USA and Spain. Cheers!! Salud!!

Third Posting - 28th May, 2007

Well, I'm beginning to think maybe I'm not so fond of blogs as I thought I might be! Seems to be working out at an update once a year or so! Not much has changed except I am now singing with two more groups and have started building websites again. (You can see some of the new ones on my Websites page).

So this might be my last blog untill you see my obituary page - which, come to think of it, someone else will have to build!

Have a good Summer 2007!

Fourth Posting - 4th June, 2008

Yeah! Still around! No improvement on the blog frequency but just passed my 70th birthday back in April so feeling quite grateful actually.

The music scene runs apace and a recent concert singing with a visiting UK mixed choir in Benidorm gave the spirit a boost. Directed & Conducted by Nigel Hopkins of Birmingham and assisted by his talented son, pianist and vocalist Matthew, the choir is called simply "Let's Sing". And they do that very well indeed.

The Summer weather is starting to kick in after a surprisingly wet May - the wettest since I arrived in Spain 4 years ago. The exchange rate - Euro to GBP - has plumetted ove the past few months thanks to the inept Alistair Darling and the increasingly gaffe-prone Gordon Brown. What a mess! Add to that the rising cost of almost everything in the shops and the picture looks kinda gloomy to a pensioner.

Still, we keep our hopes up and look to better times. At least the sun is reliable here in sunny Spain! So "Hasta pronto!" Well, next year, that is. :-)