Chris Lamb’s Hideaway

I am trying to read through a load of “Classics” on a Sony eBook reader to:

a. Justify the things existence and
b. Rectify the neglect – I should have read them long ago

Unfortunately, if you start going on about “Classics” when discussing books – it sounds pompous and contrived. So you end up reading loads but feeling like you best not go blabbing on about it.

So – I am going to have a period of time reading some contemporary books and “future classics”.

Then I realise so few people read books these days that it still sounds pompous to be talking about them.

I was in the pub and started discussing “Wolf Hall” with some friends recently – written by Hilary Mantel.

I won’t make that mistake for quite some time. Maybe women can get away with that kind of conversation. It seems blokes only discuss a limited range of topics.

It seems that the Catholic Church has been shaken by more scandalous accusations from people.

Could it be that a sexually segregated existence, belief in a deity who never bothers to put his name to anything these days and enforced celibacy while spending large periods of time in a thing called a seminary – all the while amongst a group of similar adherents – somehow corrupts?

I am sure they will sort it out and everyone will realise it was unfortunate – no two ways about it. Very unfortunate.

Read all about it: Vatican forced to defend itself… blah blah blah

Chopin was born in March 1810. Which means this month is the 200th anniversary of his landing amongst us.

It has received a lot of coverage but Classical music is not really mainstream any longer and it is possible to forget it exists if you don’t go looking for it. If you do stumble across it you may still miss it – many people immediately switch to Chris Moyles or Drivetime as soon as anything classical comes onto the radio.

And, I believe, understandably so. Too much has been made of “authenticity” in the classical world. By this I mean authenticity in the same way as the modern church is authentic to the time of Christ. Basically, not at all.

Classical music is still Music and too often the presentation and attitude are considered it’s equal.

Ultimately, classical music is just too darned difficult for people. They assume they should like all Classical Music – which is unrealistic. I know people who buy albums and force themselves to listen in the belief some divine light shall come on, they shall be filled with the passion of Beethoven and all music will suddenly change for them.

Well, that usually is not the case. Some people love Chopin, others criticise it for it’s romanticism and sentimentality. Classical music is a very, very broad base of music and moods. Often people simply need to hear one or two pieces, frequently in film scores, before they realise how incredible the music of past generations was. It is somehow perceived that modern film scores and orchestral pieces are not “Classical”. Trying to define what Classical music is, unfortunately, is way beyond the worlds great musical intellects. Let alone me.

All of which is counter-productive. I simply wanted to say that I frequently need to hear certain composers and pieces of music. Chopin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Bach are the composers I listen to most frequently, now. Amongst many others. Combined with Blues guitar, classical guitar lessons and Spotify – it makes up most of my musical appetite.

So, my recommendation for Chopin is to listen to it all. However, a quick intro is available by listening to these pieces:

The “Raindrop” prelude – filmed near me at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh

Prelude Number 4 – in the same vein, musically.

Fantasie – a bit more upbeat and a female performer in suitably classical gown.

Do yourself a favour, always cancel the comments on YouTube. The puke people pour out via their little keyboards is the price we have to pay for a free service. Al least it means the freaks are indoors and aren’t following cheerleaders home along dark alleyways.

I am forever coming across “Quotations” online.

Snippets and sound-bites supposed to flatter the author and show a caustic wit or enviable insight.

I usually just glimpse at them. However, after reading through a few stories about Zimbabwe, Iraq, Georgia and Afghanistan this morning, I came across this from Voltaire:

“It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”

In recent years it “feels” as though there has been a big rise in religious and racially motivated violence. Possibly this is simply due to reporting and we in the “West” are – unusually – targets, too. Possibly the worlds poor and downtrodden are sick of seeing our profligacy and want their own piece of the action. The blame game is a merry-go-round of claim and counter claim.

Whatever – it seems a very ugly world at the current moment in time. We seem numb to the massive carnage spreading around in our wake yet manage to start a new “campaign” with almost every single murder in our own vicinity. Surely we need a more balanced world view?

Know what I particularly love about Politicians?

As soon as things go wrong for others, they immediately “demand” a resignation.

Yet, when they are found wanting, they try to sidestep it by hiding behind the argument that they shall be accountable to the electorate.

Or – just as often – simply ignoring any criticism of their ineptitude altogether.

I am not sure if it is only a celebration in Edinburgh or is a national “day” but we are being urged to carry a poem to try and celebrate poetry and raise the profile of the importance of poetry and writing.

So I decided to put a poem online. I am lucky that I can remember a few I like in my head. The poem I am choosing is possibly quite unusual for a man in a good mood to choose on a Saturday morning. It is written with a female voice and is about grief of a lost partner.

I remember hearing this a long time ago and not knowing the source. Then I heard Shiela Hancock recite it in a programme she made about her life after the death of John Thaw.

It is almost perfect at capturing the loneliness, anger and hopelessness brought by grief and I hope it is not too pessimistic.

Sonnet II

Time does not bring relief; you all have lied
Who told me time would ease me of my pain!
I miss him in the weeping of the rain;
I want him at the shrinking of the tide;
The old snows melt from every mountain-side,
And last year’s leaves are smoke in every lane;
But last year’s bitter loving must remain
Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide!

There are a hundred places where I fear
To go,—so with his memory they brim!
And entering with relief some quiet place
Where never fell his foot or shone his face
I say, “There is no memory of him here!”
And so stand stricken, so remembering him!

–
Edna St. Vincent Millay

I have just read the news article on the failure of a legal bid by a “christian” BA employee to have the “right” to wear a cross on a chain.

The feeling of martyrdom is one which seems to be popular and very common among religious people. Indeed, it is almost a rite of passage to appear to be suffering for your belief.

Which is strange for a group of people in a wealthy, 21st Century nation which has legally protected and awarded privilege to “christian” people for a very long time.

It is also ironic that a person with religious belef has the audacity to feel victimised for such a minor requirement in the workplace. After all, the Organised religions of the world continually and institutionally discriminate within almost every part of a persons life choices.

I just want to say that I am delighted with my new guitar.

I am no longer so in awe of the instrument and have finally been managing to find some time to practice. Not anything like so much as I would like but a lot more than I managed last year (almost none!).

So thanks, Per. Once again. And thanks also to Malcolm – his patience and passion for music on the guitar always motivates me.

That’s all – just wanted to say it!

And I am very cross.

I thought Tony Blair received too much reverence while in office. On Friday I was appalled at the level of reverence shown at the Chillblain enquiry.

One behavioural trait was particularly irritating.

“Look, let me try to explain …” or “Look, I want you to realise…”

The vanity and the ego were astounding. This bravura was all the more appalling in light of his desire to portray the deceptions of his time in office as simply a “judgement” call. The kind of “judgement” call made by any CEO of a big organisation.

Some appalling and obscene judgements in many peoples opinion.

So, imagine my reaction upon seeing Lord High Salamander Peter Mandelson this morning. His wise words framed in sentences such as: “Look, you know he’s not a sort of TV personality…”

Look, just answer the bl**dy questions you gits.

Not a sudden thaw.

No – one of the few occassions when I am glad for a multitude of Sky channels since I can find a channel not analysing, reporting and dramatising the cold weather conditions.

It is very cold, slippery and difficult to get around. Perfect time for wine and feel good tv!

I realise, given the time of year, that this post may “seem” like a hint for Santa.

However, given the cost of these things, it clearly is not!

I have a very great penchant for bags and cases. I have always wanted a Gladstone bag and when I went to a shop a year or two ago to buy one – it had closed!

Now, I see they are online and are actually based on Arran. However, I am now not sure what I would go for…

I love the Gladstones, still: See Gladstones but I am also very drawn toward his “My briefcase”: See the “My briefcase”.

They are beautiful items. The workmanship and leather are fantastic and the tactile pleasure… Enough, this is becoming weird!

All of which is immaterial, I am utterly skint!