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Nice pictures of a full church published on St.Jasons Twitter feed for Mothering Sunday. Not all of us have, or have had nice mothers though and there should be a day for those of us whose mothers ill-treated them. Like my wife for example. Out of touch with reality or what??

My slightly surreal take on the old Python sketch 'How To Recognise Different Parts Of The Body':
Best weapon against adversity is humour.

Coming down your way tomorrow Gill, Oxford.

We were at Banbury on Saturday for the opening of a new antiques centre. Nice place but blimey, it was rammed! We should've held off until today and met you.

Wowee, that was a good day. Got this book of British town trails a few weeks ago for £2.99 and there were 2 trails in Oxford, which we both did. Plus lots and lots of poking all day. Around bookshops churches quadrangles and Oxfams. Lots of spot the gargoyle on college walls (St.Johns, All Souls and Magdalen has walls full of them) Plus we actually got as far as Blackwell's music store. Then I get home and find my new piano book has arrived, you know, that subject that dare not speak its name.

The musical fruits of a good day's shopping in Oxford yesterday. I could have bought much more....including what looked like a fantastic bok in Blackwells entitled 'How Music Works' by David Byrne (Talking Heads)

If only I'd had that Aberystwyth last August when I saw you, Gill.

Learn it for the next rematch!

Gill the Piano wrote:Learn it for the next rematch!

What next rematch?? Lightning cannot strike twice - and in any case, I said I don't think I'm one of natures little church organists. Plenty of others that'll do it (Mabel, Fanny Fosdyke, your good self), God will see to that

...however, to prove I'm not a cowardy cowardy custard, I had a go at Blaenwern from the version I played last August, and Aberystwyth from A&M, the top line (whatever that's called) before 'bedd' last night.

dave brum wrote:Wowee, that was a good day. Got this book of British town trails a few weeks ago for £2.99 and there were 2 trails in Oxford, which we both did. Plus lots and lots of poking all day.

Talk of mis-heard lyrics, when I quickly read your message I saw "...book of British towel rails...."

Might find some nice British towel rails in Brackley or that place we passed the other day on the A44 by Woodstock, the Quiet Lady or something?? To have a towel rail with the Birmingham anchor hallmark on it. In our case, to have a towel rail as my bath towel doesn't fit on my radiator.

Found this interesting article about the organist at the churches in the two neighbouring villages having been honoured by old queenie. She still plays as her name was on the Barnt Green newsletter which we picked up this week during an afternoon stroll around Barnt Green:

http://villageonline.co.uk/village/news ... yal_reward


oh, and talking of organs 'Songs Of Reflection and Praise' presented by the choir of St.Jasons, which Biddy Bagshawe is the musical director of takes place at St.Jasons tomorrow afternoon at 1600. Sacred music? Bit of Tallis or 'Messiah'?? Or maybe Eric Whitacre??? In aid of the Organ Repair Fund. The one what she broke.

The Quiet Woman. There's a nice antiques centre at Chipping Norton, in a big mill.

We were going to stop off at Chipping Norton next time we went down to Oxford - and Broadway/Moreton in Marsh also. My wife would like to see Blenheim Palace but working class people are barred from there by their exclusive admission charges so it's a never never as far as we're concerned, however Woodstock also looks a nice place to stop off at. The A44 is such a more interesting run than the motorway, if only on Wednesday the whole Cotswolds was covered in a blanket of wintry freezing fog so we saw sweet foxtrot alpha.

No doubt there will be something about the fundraiser for the Organ Restoration Fund on the St.Jason's newsletter tomorrow. If we're very lucky, we might get to see it before Easter - if we're luckier still, we'll see some pictures of the Choir singing on the StJ's Twitter feed. Though that may be one wish too far.

Listening to 'Running Down A Dream' by Tom Petty, which I believe he's half inched a bit from Dave Edmunds' 'Queen of Hearts'.

Cars bumper to bumper all around St.Jasons for the concert for the Organ Restoration fund. Including Fanny Fosdyke. She was also playing the organ this morning.

Churches need organs and for that reason it is a very worthy reason to hold a concert. But even if there was the opportunity to throw eggs or wet sponges at Ms.Fosdyke for £5 to the fund, I would not contribute. A couple of Lion Quality hens ova, or anything cold and wet thrown at the old (censored) would not atone in any way for what this person has said to me. I'll leave the judging to Merciful Allah.

FFF...for crying out loud, LEAVE IT!

I know I keep on Gill but it has upset and hurt me very much. But the fact she is sat there all righteous every Sunday playing the organ with her Church totally in the dark about what she has done or why I cannot go to church as a consequence.

I really do not know how I'll get over this. In as much as three years, I cannot forget it. I am the sort of person that, if somebody does a good deed or helps me, I shall remember them with honour until my dying day. However if someone does the opposite, they are in my bad books and my enemy for life. That's just me.

Expecting a picture of the choir in all their finery at the Songs of Praise and Reflection , with Ms.Fosdyke sat in the Director's chair, the organ console and piano in a sense of omnipresence on the church Twitter feed. She is, as we are all too well aware Director of Music there. Her arrogance, cockiness and confidence has got her places (along with her apparent vicious hatred of the weaker inhabitants of the Parish).

You're letting her continue hurting you. FFF.

Gill the Piano wrote:You're letting her continue hurting you. FFF.

Indeed I am. That's exactly what she intended, the malicious old fornicator.

So don't let her win. Onward and upward!

But I cannot think of a reason why she hasn't won. In Western civilisations and capitalist systems there are successes and there are failures. She is a success, a winner, an all round goody goody. I on the other hand have failed and have been beaten. Little folk such as myself and countless other anonymous creatures exist to be walked over and demonised by the ogres and bullies. A case in point. Onwards but unsure of upwards. Eighty steps forward, eighty steps back.

Only if you allow yourself to be beaten. FFF. Just show her!

But all signs point to a heavily defeated man. I haven't the foggiest idea how to show her - she's too strong and I'm too weak.

Changing the subject, there is a PCC meeting at church tonight. I know it's the AGM in a couple of weeks and there will be a statement from the Director of Music and possibly some reference to the Organ Repair Fund but whether she'll have tried to wangle her way onto the PCC I know not. I think we should all make an anonymous donation to the Organ Repair Fund at St.Jasons, then Barbie Bumford will wonder where the money has come from. Possibly also the churchwarden who persistently harassed me into going up for a blessing when I said no once and expect to say no only once and not any more than fifteen times.

More Brum bedroom secrets, I was reading something in bed last night on 'that' subject, no, not that one but 'that one'. It was talking about shape recognition being central to good SR skills, well I actually could recognise shapes from a very early age but also on the subject of mathematics where you do graphing and charting and you indicate (for argument's sake) sales of widgets over the past 10 years and the fluctuating line up and down shows the sales, this is rather like a rising and falling tune in music. Maybe I should see a piece of SR as a widget sales chart as once again I had no problems with this. I'll have to speak to Mabel.

I was also looking at a blue website last night

Best SR tip I ever heard was to look not at the notes but at the gaps between them and learn what each interval looks like on the page.

Tried that, can't remember when it was obviously long long ago when I wore a younger man's flannelette combinations.....

Just been reported on the news, Justin Beaver is coming to Cofton Park (1km from my house) in August. The same park that Holy Father Benedict celebrated Mass in in 2010 and Derek 'Red Robbo' Robinson held mass union meetings in during the late 70s.

Ooo, better stock up on rotten tomatoes...

I think I'll go along dressed as Red Robbo...the dreadful noise would be audible where we live. Why can't they have someone like Benjamin Grosvenor orJulian Joseph??

Because they wouldn't be able to stack the venue to the rafters with brain dead drooling screaming bimbos who will pay anything for mass produced sweatshop t shirts with Buboe's fizzog on them that will fall apart the second they wear it.

I really feel sorry for the villagers of Cofton Hackett at the time of this 'Fusion' Festival thing, there's not even a rock blues or folk offering. It's all chavvish cheap music that drags the name of what is a lovely park and open space through the dirt by attracting hoards of yobbos and yobbettes. Justin Beaver may be a millionaire, his 'music' may sell well but the fact is this, HE'S NO BLOODY GOOD!

The church at Cofton, St.Michaels, still uses the Book of Common Prayer.

Not just Buboe of whom that could be said, mine jew.

Had an email from Mabs. She said to me (and these are her words) 'You WILL play Aberystwyth'. Without being negative, I do not see how this will be. That A&M looks only suitable for superpeople!

Grandad also recommenced my house renovation work, having been dogged by health problems and my wife having weeks off. Today, I sanded down the ceiling and one of the walls wot I plastered. I'm going to take on the remaining 3 walls tomorrow and some filling in of the holes. Oh and persistent cleaning down. Next week, if my health doesn't deteriorate again, I have to hang 2 doors. Not done that ever in my life and I refuse to pay a darren.

Cream crackered again, lungs full of dust.

Palm Sunday tomorrow, and that means opaque palm crosses. Are they still made of palm crosses or are they made from latex substitute now??

There'll be at least one blowing down St.Jasons Road tomorrow evening I have no doubt so I should get mine okay if we go out for an evening stroll on the first full evening of daylight saving time 2015. Any concerts on Goody Friday then, Gillchops??

Still palm as far as I know. I skived today as I had no gigs!
Chapel on Good Friday. Then the craft fair. Huzzah !

I'll have lots and lots of Youtubes to watch on Monday, the Easter From Kings, the Easter morning service on Sunday morning on BBC1 and the Pope's blessing. Would be good to watch the service and the Urbi et Orbi as I'll be unable to get to church but that will not be allowed either. I hope the broadband speed is nice and fast here on the Bank Holiday.

Calling Barrie, the posting fault has re-occured on my upstairs machine which means Gill won't be able to make any postings either!

Good Friday is here, and I have a grievance that I cannot attend either my local church, St.Andrews church in Barnt Green to sing with Wendy at the organ, St.Nics, with Tracey Jones wiggling away, or indeed any church. Preparation of lunch and cat feedery supersedes commemeration of the crucifixion of whom Christians believe to be the son of God. However, she who surely must be obeyed has allowed me to watch 'An Island Parish' this evening, set in what must be the only place on earth where Margaret Thatcher is worshipped and revered moreso that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and where 'p.p.p.picking up a Penguin' might leave you maimed or even killed.

Would I be as lucky with Easter from Kings tomorrow night, in HD??

You know what, I've just thought. I've not done any piano practice today on purpose. Oddly enough I don't feel angry, moody or wound up. I actually feel quite relaxed and at ease!!!

So when you can post Gill, how was the craft fair? And the gig OF COURSE - any green hills far away?

Been barred from the website of St.Jasons and also its Twitter feed, by she who must be obeyed. Which now includes pictures of Betty Bumfield of course.

Well, I've forced myself to do a bit of piano practice, which actually went okay. I didn't do everything on the list, just 2 scales (played perfectly) and both homework pieces.

Hallelujah. Christ is risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED, HALLELUJAH!! See I'm not allowed to say it in church because of a longstanding feud with the organist and a suspicious wife, so I'll have to say it 'ere instead. Hymn number 163, Christ the Lord is risen today, hallelujah etc.

Never having been married, Jesus Christ (who is risen today, hallelujah) never had to go through the management meeting in his ministry but one took place this morning in the Brum household in lieu of hymn singing:

The boss has spoken, laid down her iron fist and as of now, I am banned from:

1. mentioning the name of Fanny Fosdyke in this house

2. mentioning St.Jasons Church, St.Jasons Road, Birmingham B22

3. driving past St.Jasons or Fanny Fosdyke's house on way to Morrisons

4. accessing the website and/or Twitter feed of St.Jasons or the website and Facebook page of Fanny Fosdyke.

I mentioned her two cats (Oswald and Geoffrey) this morning and nearly started the third world war! HOWEVER I can still come on here and slag the old cowbag off

I've also been looking through what Easter hymns I have but every single one is unplayable to most human beings. Now I know what the codebreakers at Bletchley Park in the 1940s were faced with. Youtube will provide me and my house with some Easter belters that are in English or Welsh, not 'enema code' as Mrs.Malaprop might had said.

You know, is it really any wonder that churches are finding it so difficult to get organists in when they have to learn to impossibly decipher those silly dots?? Only superhumans (read Nietzsche) can do such a feat.

Bloody amazing. St.Jasons have sent me an Easter newsletter! With the message 'we look forward to meeting you at one of our special events. Never in a million years as long as you have the Director of Music that you have, missus! Pog mo thoin!!!

I am not going to watch Easter from Kings, this morning's Easter Service on BBC One, or Francis' blessing tomorrow. I'm going to do some decorating instead. Those programmes will only make me anxious of the fact that not only can I not go to church, I shall never be the church organist I wanted to be since I played those organs last August in Bucks. They say you have to have something to aim at in life. I aimed at becoming a church organist, okay I wouldn't be as good an organist as Mabel, or Biddy Bagshawe, or Gill, orHelen Emo or whom so ever - but being A church organist, even if it meant playing just one hymn, and being confident enough to sight read it confidently. But now that aim has been shot down, sabotaged whatever and I do not need reminding that I'll never be what I wanted to be. So best not to feed the anxiety then??

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