The new Monkees LP, 'Good Times!' is co-produced by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and features songwriting contributions from the likes of Rivers Cuomo, Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and Andy Partridge. Best of the bunch, however, is 'Me & Magdalena', a bewitching gem of a pop song, written by Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie. Micheal Nesmith and Micky Dolenz handle the vocals. Sublime.
55 songs in 55 days - one for every year of
my life...so far.
In the 48 hours following Mum's passing in
December 2010, I received a series of warmly
appreciated condolence messages from
virtually everyone I worked with, the notable
exception being the Area Manager, my
immediate boss. I heard nothing from him for
5 days. When he finally called, he offered no
words of consolation and merely attempted to
get me to commit there and then to a return
to work date. He also informed me that I
wouldn't be returning to my own store, but
was required to take over a new unit that had
opened during my sabbatical.
In spite of a general unease about life in
the corporate sector after so long in small
business, I worked hard and diligently for
the company because a) I had debts to pay off
and b) If I take something on, I don't
believe in giving half measure. I worked very
long hours, rarely got my allotted two days
off per week and never once in ten years came
close to using my full annual holiday
entitlement - as a salaried employee, these
were 'use it or lose it' elements of my
contract, with no overtime payment option.
I'm not complaining. For much of the time I
enjoyed the challenges of the job - no two
days were ever the same, that's for sure. But I
was now at my lowest ebb and it was
only by the grace of Mrs S's steadying
presence that I was able to function at all.
I had hoped for at least a little compassion. Business is business though.
A man on the move, 2011.
I took a good look at myself - the distance
I'd travelled, the amount I'd stretched my
own abilities and the success I'd achieved
within the company, culminating in being
named brand Manager of the year in 2010. I was nearly
51. Was I really in any state to dive back in
and run myself ragged all over again? My
sabbatical, Mum's passing and now the conversation with my boss had given me perspective. In January 2011, I handed
in my notice.
Mrs S and I had been considering a move
before Mum's health issues put all plans on
hold. In the Spring of 2011, after we'd finished
clearing Mum's house, we tentatively started
looking for a new place to live.
--------------------
Death Cab For Cutie are one of those bands
that only turn up once in my collection. The
album in question is 'Codes and Keys' from
2011. I like this record a lot, but for some
reason I've not yet checked out very much
more of their output. The brilliant 'You Are
a Tourist' was a favourite in the house all
year. This official video for the song is the
first ever live, scripted, one-take music
video shoot.
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