For those pupils not taking exams at this time of the academic year this end of term time is a real chance to do other things - drama, music, art, sport and just hanging out enjoying a glimpse of the sun.

On 25th June 2023 I put up a tune that was influenced by the opening "Theme" from Bob Dylans soundtrack album to the film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid .

This is in a different key - but I realised I was using the same melody as I did before - so its become a tale of how Pat Garrett found and killed the outlaw Billy the Kid.

We've had a few good days in the UK - and I start to feel as though I'm going to try and write Latin American rhythms. Getting a bit carried away.

Saturday is DIY day. I have limited DIY ability but enthusiasm - until it starts to go wrong . My latest project is getting the stuff out from store when we came back from Spain 3 years ago ! -Repair or throw away in most instances ...

You may notice my typically English obsession with the weather. Well we had two sunny days in a row this last weekend ( the weekend of the 1st and 2nd June ) . Suddenly the whole  world seems a better place. 

Like Mr Trump's Truth social media platform we in the UK are doing our bit and Truth Festivals are springing up all over the place. Where like minded people can share their view of their world. Oh my ...

I 'm not a huge boxing fan - the blows to the head just seem almost too brutal. The recent Tyson Fury fight was interesting - paricularly because he looks like he doesn't get himself in real top shape and relies on his extraordinary strength and resilience. Anyway this is not really about him but uses the boxing analogy to look at how we deal with the punches and blows we take.

Built off three phrases which all refer to the delights of employment:

This is me talking to myself ( again- oh dear)

Walking through treacle with lead weights around your neck:
Trying to wake up when you're in the middle of a nightmare;
Climbing up a ladder with a pack on your back;


That just about sums it up ( the teaching I love but the stuff I have to do to make the money - not so good ) 

The style is taken from  Colin Hays( from Australian band Men at Work)  cameo appearances playing in a cupboard in the US sitcom Scrubs - which our lot loved. 

I had a really inspiring pupil a few years ago - he used to bring me music to listen to that I wouldn't normally have got to. Martin Simpson was one particularly great find. He gives real space to sections of music - so you can hear them distinctly.
This is just recalling the music and the pupil. The pupil was also an amazing History of Art teacher, who was dealing with fairly severe cancer at the time of our lessons.

The title comes from Amen Corners 1968 !! - song Bend me Shape me - ( I thought it was shake me ) . Other than that I can't see where this song came from ....you'll see why. Yup - weird