Senses working overtime #508

1 The feeling this week:

Photo by Raphael Renter | @raphi_rawr on Unsplash

2 Reading: Songbird (The Intimate Biography of Christine McVie) - Lesley-Ann Jones

I'm not one for biographies usually, but Christine McVie (an unassuming superstar) didn't write her autobiography and this is an interesting account of her life. So, it will have to do.

3 Watched: Smother

4 Smell: Blue de Chanel

With a return to school, a return to routines (YAY)

5 Listening: WTWMC - Kiwi Pik n Mix

The end of the third week. Halfway. The playlist now has 45 songs.

Overtime: Christine McVie

"You can only mend the vase so many times before you have to chuck it away"

Senses working overtime #507

1 It was back to the brick factory this week

2 Listening: Meat Loaf - Dead Ringer

A much overlooked (eclipsed by Bat Out Of Hell) classic from Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf. The big moment is the title track with Cher adding to the pomp and circumstance very very successfully!

3 Watched: Territory

An effective Aussie version of Yellowstone.

4 Reading: Mike McCartney - Thank U Very Much (Mike McCartney's Family Album)

I've had this for a looong time but remembered it while reading The McCartney Legacy and listening to 'our kid's' solo albums. Mike's scouse humour is crucial to the success of this autobiography, plus his Fab photos are fab, gear.

5 Listening: WTWMC - Kiwi Pik n Mix

Thirty songs thus far. What are you waiting for?

Overtime: 

Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.

Mary Lou Retton

Senses working overtime #506

1 Listening: WTWMC - Kiwi Pik n Mix

Get on board for our NZ music playlist. We are selecting our favourites, rather than the best, so a lot of deep cuts among the hits.

2 Watched: Black Doves

A pretty good British spy thriller on Netflix starring Keira Knightley.

3 Watched: Yellowstone

We finished the last season of this show - thoroughly enjoyed it, too. Bravo to Beth (Kelly Reilly)!

4 Reading: The McCartney Legacy Volume 1- Allan Kozinn, Adrian Sinclair 

 

I'm currently working through his solo albums for my Goo Goo G'Joob blog and this is a great companion. I don't have Volume 2 yet, but I will.

5 Listening: Flowers In The Dirt - Paul McCartney

For me, his best album of the eighties. Tug Of War and Pipes Of Peace round out his top three eighties albums.

Overtime: Buckminster Fuller

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

(courtesy Swiss Miss)

Senses working overtime #505

1 Farewell: Tango

Sadly, this week we had to say farewell to Tango - a gentle soul if ever there was one.

Rest in peace Tangie.

2 Listening: Larry Coryell - The Restful Mind

The jazz fusion firebrand gets into a meditative state for this one. It's been on repeat at Maple Grove this week, along with #3 below.

3 Listening: Oregon - Out Of The Woods

Three members of Oregon play on The Restful Mind with Larry.

4 Watching: Yellowstone

I bit the bullet and signed up to Neon to watch Seasons 4 and 5 of Yellowstone. No regrets!

Interesting that loose cannon Beth seems to be everyone's favourite character on this show.

5 Reading: Louis L'Amour - The Outlaws of Mesquite

These short stories go well with Yellowstone.

Overtime: 

Philosopher and writer Friedrich Nietzsche on enjoying the process:

"The end of a melody is not its goal."

(Courtesy James Clear)

Senses working overtime #504

1 2025 - Happy new year to the blogosphere

2 Watched: Yellowstone Season 3

3 Listening: Aimee Mann - Bachelor No.2

4 Reading: Testimony - Robbie Robertson

I'm nearly done and I'm not sure if I like him or not. He may be the only musician in the history of the world to go on the road and be faithful to his wife (and three children). Maybe - he certainly doesn't confess to any dalliances along the way in his book.

Most of it centres on a narrow period from when he started being a musician to when The Band were in their prime. I'm on page 420 (out of 494) and he's not even up to The Last Waltz yet!

He does write well, and I'm fully engaged - especially in the chronicling of his relationships with Dylan and Levon Helm.

5 Listening: WTWMC - Loved Ones

The playlist is complete - 135 to celebrate our loved ones. It's a pretty darn impressive playlist made with love.

Our attention shifts to our favourite Kiwi artists next week. Thirty songs for each amigo, spread over 6 weeks. 

Overtime:  

Writer Susan Sontag on finding the courage to change this year (courtesy James Clear):

"I must change my life so that I can live it, not wait for it."