The Owlman is back in business!

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! I bloody love this guy! How long has it been? Forty-three years?! Jesus. I only hope he's got himself a good agent this time.

And that's all the news, folk(s)! Yeah, yeah. I can't be bothered with finance. Last post of the week syndrome. You know how it is.

Oh, I played my song This World Don't Mean a Thing before starting this post - and after my dinner, of course. [Aren't chips the greatest food ever invented? I think so.] It sounded really cool, even if I do say so myself. I can play it like a true pro now! It's a shame I wasn't this good, say, oh, I don't know ... twenty-five years ago. It would have been 1994, the beginning of Britpop, and I could have been a part of it, man. Making a living from music was much easier then, too.

Ah, never mind. Everything happens for a reason. Don't you think?

Actually, maybe it's a good thing that the music business is so tough these days. I used to be quite lazy, but I'm pushing myself really hard now because I know I'm going to need the greatest album ever recorded. It's not something I want. Oh no. I need it! You dig?

Because I'll tell you straight, kook(s): there's no way I'm playing small pubs and clubs for years on end. I know some people like it, but it'll be heartbreaking for me, at my age. And I don't want the hassle. I'd do anything for music, but I won't do that ... to paraphrase Meat Loaf.

No, no, it's got to be arenas and stadiums, the big time, like. However, here's the terrifying reality of stadium gigs. How on earth am I going to cope with that?! Even more horror!

Obviously, I'll have to invent a character. I'll call him "Michael Fowke", and then just hope for the best.

...

Oh, by the way, I haven't had any decent PR emails recently. I guess everyone's on holiday. Well, it's September next week. Maybe things will pick up.

One day, one day ... Listen! This will all be finance. I have a dream! [A nightmare, in truth.] Christ. Never mind, eh? Just never mind.

...

I walked to Richmond this morning. There's a wonderful view from Richmond Hill. / I ate my lunch on a bench near Mick Jagger's house. [I don't think Jerry Hall still lives there. Or maybe she does. I can't keep up with these stars. Who cares, anyway?!]

Okay, okay. Have a nice weekend!

Refinitiv: Lipper European fund flows report - July 2019

Okay, okay. It's a PR email from Detlef Glow, Lipper's head of EMEA research at Refinitiv. [Well, our Nsikan sent it on his behalf.]  So, what's been going on?

July was the fifth month of the year in which long-term mutual funds posted net inflows.
The overall fund flows for mutual funds in Europe in July amounted to net inflows of €81.5 bn.
Money Market funds (+€38.3 bn) were the best-selling individual asset type overall for July.
Equity Global (+€14.5 bn) was the best-selling sector among long-term funds for July.
Ireland (+€43.3 bn) was the fund domicile with the highest net inflows, followed by France (+€19.2 bn), which was driven by flows into money market products (+€20.6 bn), Luxembourg (+€13.3 bn), Switzerland (+€3.1 bn), and the U.K. (+€1.1 bn).

In Every Dream Home A Heartache.
BlackRock was the best-selling fund promoter for July overall, with net sales of €20.1 bn, ahead of Amundi (+€11.5 bn) and JP Morgan (+€7.1 bn).
The ten best-selling long-term funds gathered at the share-class level amounted to net inflows of €17.0 bn for July.
Amundi CA 13/08/2019 C (+€5.0 bn) was the best-selling individual long-term fund for July.

Okay, okay. I'm sure it all makes sense to someone. / Er ... there is actually a proper report, like. 'That's just the summary you've posted, boss.' Yeah, I know.

I know.

...

Anything else? Brexit?! Christ! I don't even know where to start. To be honest, I don't want to talk about it. All I will say is, I desperately need to record my new demo soon, man, so I can be on the last helicopter out of Saigon - if you know what I mean. FFS!

The good news is, my performing is much improved. I put that down to two things ...

1] The spider exercise, which I do for half an hour every day before rehearsing my songs.

2] David Goggins with his bad-ass attitude. He's given me a real boost. [I regret not joining the French Foreign Legion now. Ah, never mind.]

...

What else? Is there anything else? Not really. I can tell you a funny story about Richmond, if you like.

Right. A few months ago I was walking in Richmond when I saw a guy who looked like Richard Ashcroft from The Verve. I thought to myself: "Oh, look at this ponce. He thinks he's Richard Ashcroft or something. Pathetic!" Well ... it turns out that Ashcroft actually lives in Richmond, so ... 'Ha, ha, ha!' Yes, I thought you would like this story, Voice.

Good night, kook(s)!

[No. 734] Words can't do it justice

So?

And, well, well[1], and with no thoughts to damage the peace, ha![1], and, well, well[2], and serene, yes[1], and with no thoughts to dam age the pea ce, ha![2], and sounds bubble, as if from a spring ...[1], and ser ene, yes[2], and feeling like, uh ... top of the mountain[1], and sounds bub ble, as if from a spring ...[2], and ... sunshine![1], and f eeling like, uh ... top of the mountain[2], and a lovely breeze ...[1], and ... sunshine![2], and genuine superman reality[1], and a lo vely bree ze ...[2], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[1], and genuine superman reality[2], and so, so, so ...[1], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[2], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[1], and so, so, so ...[2], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to matter[1], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[2], and what ... to care?[1], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to matt er[2], and at night come the stars ...[1], and what ... to care?[2], and, O, O, O ...[1], and at night come the s tars ...[2], and inside, outside, space, immaculate, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![1], and, O, O, O ...[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[1], and inside, outside, space, immac ulate, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![2], and together, as one[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[2], and a very nice surprise ... ?[1], and toget her, as one[2], and ... yes?[1], and a very n ice surprise ... ?[2], and wonder, wonder, wonder ...[1], and ... yes?[2], and ... yes![1], and wond er, wond er, wond er ...[2], and a senseless pleasure, actually[1], and ... yes![2], and, uh, uh, O - !!![1], and a sen seless plea sure, actually[2], and ... ha![1], and, uh, uh, O - !!![2], and smiling tough with a taste for glory[1], and ... ha![2], and at dawn ...[1], and smiling tough with a taste for glo ry[2], and an end less sky, just bigger than ... whatever[1], and at daw n ...[2], and trees swaying ...[1], and an endless sky, just bigger than ... w hatever[2], and all the animals shaking ...[1], and trees swa ying ...[2], and rocks saying nothing[1], and all the animals sha king ...[2], and we can fly![1], and r ocks saying noth ing[2], and we can sing![1], and we can fly![2], and we can do ... most things[1], and we can sing![2], and I'm looking hard ...[1], and we can do ... most things[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of astonishing stuff[1], and I'm l ooking hard ...[2], and I'm searching for ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of asto nishing st uff[2], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[1], and I'm searching for ...[2], and, ah, well ...[1], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[2], and, well, well[3], and, ah, w ell ...[2], and with no thoughts to d  a  m  a  g  e the p  e  a  c  e, ha![3], and s  e  r  e  n  e, yes[3], and sounds b  u  b  b  l  e, as if from a spring ...[3], and f  e  e  l  i  n  g like, uh ... top of the mountain[3], and ... sunshine![3], and a l  o  v  e  l  y b  r  e  e  z  e ...[3], and genuine superman reality[3], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[3], and so, so, so ...[3], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[3], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to m  a  t  t  e  r[3], and what ... to care?[3], and at night come the s  t  a  r  s ...[3], and, O, O, O ...[3], and inside, outside, space, i  m  m  a  c  u  l  a  t  e, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[3], and t  o  g  e  t  h  e  r, as one[3], and a very n  i  c  e surprise ... ?[3], and ... yes?[3], and w  o  n  d  e  r, w  o  n  d  e  r, w  o  n  d  e  r ...[3], and ... yes![3], and a s  e  n  s  e  l  e  s  s p  l  e  a  s  u  r  e, actually[3], and, uh, uh, O - !!![3], and ... ha![3], and smiling tough with a taste for g  l  o  r  y[3], and at d  a  w  n ...[3], and an e  n  d  l  e  s  s sky, just bigger than ... w  h  a  t  e  v  e  r[3], and trees s  w  a  y  i  n  g ...[3], and all the animals s  h  a  k  i  n  g ...[3], and r  o  c  k  s saying n  o  t  h  i  n  g[3], and we can fly![3], and we can sing![3], and we can do ... most things[3], and I'm l  o  o  k  i  n  g hard ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of a  s  t  o  n  i  s  h  i  n  g s  t  u  f  f[3], and I'm searching for ...[3], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[3], and, ah, w  e  l  l ...[3], and

And, well, well[1], and with no thoughts to damage the peace, ha![1], and, well, well[2], and serene, yes[1], and with no thoughts to dam age the pea ce, ha![2], and sounds bubble, as if from a spring ...[1], and ser ene, yes[2], and feeling like, uh ... top of the mountain[1], and sounds bub ble, as if from a spring ...[2], and ... sunshine![1], and f eeling like, uh ... top of the mountain[2], and a lovely breeze ...[1], and ... sunshine![2], and genuine superman reality[1], and a lo vely bree ze ...[2], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[1], and genuine superman reality[2], and so, so, so ...[1], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[2], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[1], and so, so, so ...[2], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to matter[1], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[2], and what ... to care?[1], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to matt er[2], and at night come the stars ...[1], and what ... to care?[2], and, O, O, O ...[1], and at night come the s tars ...[2], and inside, outside, space, immaculate, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![1], and, O, O, O ...[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[1], and inside, outside, space, immac ulate, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![2], and together, as one[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[2], and a very nice surprise ... ?[1], and toget her, as one[2], and ... yes?[1], and a very n ice surprise ... ?[2], and wonder, wonder, wonder ...[1], and ... yes?[2], and ... yes![1], and wond er, wond er, wond er ...[2], and a senseless pleasure, actually[1], and ... yes![2], and, uh, uh, O - !!![1], and a sen seless plea sure, actually[2], and ... ha![1], and, uh, uh, O - !!![2], and smiling tough with a taste for glory[1], and ... ha![2], and at dawn ...[1], and smiling tough with a taste for glo ry[2], and an end less sky, just bigger than ... whatever[1], and at daw n ...[2], and trees swaying ...[1], and an endless sky, just bigger than ... w hatever[2], and all the animals shaking ...[1], and trees swa ying ...[2], and rocks saying nothing[1], and all the animals sha king ...[2], and we can fly![1], and r ocks saying noth ing[2], and we can sing![1], and we can fly![2], and we can do ... most things[1], and we can sing![2], and I'm looking hard ...[1], and we can do ... most things[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of astonishing stuff[1], and I'm l ooking hard ...[2], and I'm searching for ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of asto nishing st uff[2], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[1], and I'm searching for ...[2], and, ah, well ...[1], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[2], and, well, well[3], and, ah, w ell ...[2], and with no thoughts to d  a  m  a  g  e the p  e  a  c  e, ha![3], and s  e  r  e  n  e, yes[3], and sounds b  u  b  b  l  e, as if from a spring ...[3], and f  e  e  l  i  n  g like, uh ... top of the mountain[3], and ... sunshine![3], and a l  o  v  e  l  y b  r  e  e  z  e ...[3], and genuine superman reality[3], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[3], and so, so, so ...[3], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[3], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to m  a  t  t  e  r[3], and what ... to care?[3], and at night come the s  t  a  r  s ...[3], and, O, O, O ...[3], and inside, outside, space, i  m  m  a  c  u  l  a  t  e, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[3], and t  o  g  e  t  h  e  r, as one[3], and a very n  i  c  e surprise ... ?[3], and ... yes?[3], and w  o  n  d  e  r, w  o  n  d  e  r, w  o  n  d  e  r ...[3], and ... yes![3], and a s  e  n  s  e  l  e  s  s p  l  e  a  s  u  r  e, actually[3], and, uh, uh, O - !!![3], and ... ha![3], and smiling tough with a taste for g  l  o  r  y[3], and at d  a  w  n ...[3], and an e  n  d  l  e  s  s sky, just bigger than ... w  h  a  t  e  v  e  r[3], and trees s  w  a  y  i  n  g ...[3], and all the animals s  h  a  k  i  n  g ...[3], and r  o  c  k  s saying n  o  t  h  i  n  g[3], and we can fly![3], and we can sing![3], and we can do ... most things[3], and I'm l  o  o  k  i  n  g hard ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of a  s  t  o  n  i  s  h  i  n  g s  t  u  f  f[3], and I'm searching for ...[3], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[3], and, ah, w  e  l  l ...[3], and

And, well, well[1], and with no thoughts to damage the peace, ha![1], and, well, well[2], and serene, yes[1], and with no thoughts to dam age the pea ce, ha![2], and sounds bubble, as if from a spring ...[1], and ser ene, yes[2], and feeling like, uh ... top of the mountain[1], and sounds bub ble, as if from a spring ...[2], and ... sunshine![1], and f eeling like, uh ... top of the mountain[2], and a lovely breeze ...[1], and ... sunshine![2], and genuine superman reality[1], and a lo vely bree ze ...[2], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[1], and genuine superman reality[2], and so, so, so ...[1], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[2], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[1], and so, so, so ...[2], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to matter[1], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[2], and what ... to care?[1], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to matt er[2], and at night come the stars ...[1], and what ... to care?[2], and, O, O, O ...[1], and at night come the s tars ...[2], and inside, outside, space, immaculate, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![1], and, O, O, O ...[2], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[1], and inside, outside, space, immac ulate, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![2], and together, as one[1], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[2], and a very nice surprise ... ?[1], and toget her, as one[2], and ... yes?[1], and a very n ice surprise ... ?[2], and wonder, wonder, wonder ...[1], and ... yes?[2], and ... yes![1], and wond er, wond er, wond er ...[2], and a senseless pleasure, actually[1], and ... yes![2], and, uh, uh, O - !!![1], and a sen seless plea sure, actually[2], and ... ha![1], and, uh, uh, O - !!![2], and smiling tough with a taste for glory[1], and ... ha![2], and at dawn ...[1], and smiling tough with a taste for glo ry[2], and an end less sky, just bigger than ... whatever[1], and at daw n ...[2], and trees swaying ...[1], and an endless sky, just bigger than ... w hatever[2], and all the animals shaking ...[1], and trees swa ying ...[2], and rocks saying nothing[1], and all the animals sha king ...[2], and we can fly![1], and r ocks saying noth ing[2], and we can sing![1], and we can fly![2], and we can do ... most things[1], and we can sing![2], and I'm looking hard ...[1], and we can do ... most things[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of astonishing stuff[1], and I'm l ooking hard ...[2], and I'm searching for ...[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of asto nishing st uff[2], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[1], and I'm searching for ...[2], and, ah, well ...[1], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[2], and, well, well[3], and, ah, w ell ...[2], and with no thoughts to d  a  m  a  g  e the p  e  a  c  e, ha![3], and s  e  r  e  n  e, yes[3], and sounds b  u  b  b  l  e, as if from a spring ...[3], and f  e  e  l  i  n  g like, uh ... top of the mountain[3], and ... sunshine![3], and a l  o  v  e  l  y b  r  e  e  z  e ...[3], and genuine superman reality[3], and, oh, oh, oh ... ! / ... and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, of course[3], and so, so, so ...[3], and, yes ... open mouth, O ...[3], and words are still here ... ah, trying their best to m  a  t  t  e  r[3], and what ... to care?[3], and at night come the s  t  a  r  s ...[3], and, O, O, O ...[3], and inside, outside, space, i  m  m  a  c  u  l  a  t  e, cold, but strangely comforting, all alone![3], and, but, but, BUT(!) ... ?[3], and t  o  g  e  t  h  e  r, as one[3], and a very n  i  c  e surprise ... ?[3], and ... yes?[3], and w  o  n  d  e  r, w  o  n  d  e  r, w  o  n  d  e  r ...[3], and ... yes![3], and a s  e  n  s  e  l  e  s  s p  l  e  a  s  u  r  e, actually[3], and, uh, uh, O - !!![3], and ... ha![3], and smiling tough with a taste for g  l  o  r  y[3], and at d  a  w  n ...[3], and an e  n  d  l  e  s  s sky, just bigger than ... w  h  a  t  e  v  e  r[3], and trees s  w  a  y  i  n  g ...[3], and all the animals s  h  a  k  i  n  g ...[3], and r  o  c  k  s saying n  o  t  h  i  n  g[3], and we can fly![3], and we can sing![3], and we can do ... most things[3], and I'm l  o  o  k  i  n  g hard ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND here ... with lots of a  s  t  o  n  i  s  h  i  n  g s  t  u  f  f[3], and I'm searching for ...[3], and, so ... all of it ... too much, or not enough?[3], and, ah, w  e  l  l ...[3], and

Just being personal, like

Listen! I'm serious, dear reader(s), about cutting out all the personal stuff, music and that. [Oh, my walks to Richmond.] I will do it soon BECAUSE(!) ... (drum roll) ... this is a financial blog, man. You dig? Christ!

However, maybe one day this blog will be seen as a motivational blog for would-be singer/songwriters. You never know.

Stranger things have happened at sea, apparently.

Which brings me to David Goggins. I'm reading Can't Hurt Me again, and I'm going to keep reading it. This is the book I've been looking for these last few years.

[It's a shame I can't get the audiobook with its extra material, BUT(!) ... I'm not signing up to Audible. FFS! Is there any reason why I can't just buy the book I want, and leave it at that? Why the hell have I got to pay a monthly fee? What's wrong with these people?!]

Listen! Last night, uh ... the heat was unbearable! I could hardly move an inch without a couple of pints of water sweating out of me. Now, uh, then ... I was considering just twenty more minutes of rehearsing my songs before bed. However, I couldn't face it. I really couldn't. I decided to read the book instead. Straight away, Goggins was in my face with tales of truly unbearable pain and suffering, most of it self-inflicted. Anyway, after ten minutes of this "hell", I felt so bad about myself that I picked up my guitar and started playing my songs. This is the power of that book.

...

So, I'm going to be using special ops forces methods from now on. Why not? I've tried everything else.

Once I've written the lyric for Good Times/Bad Times, I'll have sixteen songs. Eleven for an album, and five spare. I might stop writing for a while after that and just concentrate on performance. Make my weak area strong, you dig?

I'll have to settle for six world-beaters for the time being. Still more than anyone else.

And I don't even need hundreds of songs to prove anything, man.

Think of Citizen Kane. It's so superior to every other great film.

Chinatown, The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Paths of Glory, Lawrence of Arabia, Raging Bull, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Godfather II, Apocalypse Now ...

There is no competition.

One film.

Orson Welles was a bad motherf***er.

That's where I've got to be with my album.

One album.

Later(s), crocodile(s)!

[No. 733] Uncommon amongst uncommon

Spin hard!

And ... tell me![1], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[1], and ... tell me![2], and, Christ ...[1], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[2], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[1], and, Christ ...[2], and stay hard![1], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[2], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![1], and stay hard![2], and I don't, no, I don't care[1], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![2], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[1], and I don't, no, I don't care[2], and, no, no, no[1], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[2], and don't chicken out on me![1], and, no, no, no[2], and hell is real[1], and don't chicken out on me![2], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[1], and hell is real[2], and you've come this far, so ...[1], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[2], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[1], and you've come this far, so ...[2], and life is a nightmare[1], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[2], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[1], and life is a nightmare[2], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[1], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[2], and, spin, spin, spin![1], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[2], and ... come on![1], and, spin, spin, spin![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![1], and ... come on![2], and ... 'Will it last?'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![2], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[1], and ... 'Will it last?'[2], and believe it![1], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[2], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[1], and believe it![2], and, listen, when we can ...[1], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[2], and we dream, a lot, yes[1], and, listen, when we can ...[2], and ... yes, yes, yes![1], and we dream, a lot, yes[2], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that golden day ...[1], and ... yes, yes, yes![2], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in paradise[1], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that gol den d ay ...[2], and smiling, so uncommon, actually[1], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in parad ise[2], and ... 'Yippee!'[1], and smiling, so uncom mon, actually[2], and ... tell me![3], and ... 'Yippee!'[2], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[3], and, Christ ...[3], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[3], and stay hard![3], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![3], and I don't, no, I don't care[3], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[3], and, no, no, no[3], and don't chicken out on me![3], and hell is real[3], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[3], and you've come this far, so ...[3], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[3], and life is a nightmare[3], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[3], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[3], and, spin, spin, spin![3], and ... come on![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![3], and ... 'Will it last?'[3], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[3], and believe it![3], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[3], and, listen, when we can ...[3], and we dream, a lot, yes[3], and ... yes, yes, yes![3], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that g  o  l  d  e  n d  a  y ...[3], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in p  a  r  a  d  i  s  e[3], and smiling, so u  n  c  o  m  m  o  n, actually[3], and ... 'Yippee!'[3], and

And ... tell me![1], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[1], and ... tell me![2], and, Christ ...[1], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[2], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[1], and, Christ ...[2], and stay hard![1], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[2], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![1], and stay hard![2], and I don't, no, I don't care[1], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![2], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[1], and I don't, no, I don't care[2], and, no, no, no[1], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[2], and don't chicken out on me![1], and, no, no, no[2], and hell is real[1], and don't chicken out on me![2], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[1], and hell is real[2], and you've come this far, so ...[1], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[2], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[1], and you've come this far, so ...[2], and life is a nightmare[1], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[2], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[1], and life is a nightmare[2], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[1], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[2], and, spin, spin, spin![1], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[2], and ... come on![1], and, spin, spin, spin![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![1], and ... come on![2], and ... 'Will it last?'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![2], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[1], and ... 'Will it last?'[2], and believe it![1], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[2], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[1], and believe it![2], and, listen, when we can ...[1], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[2], and we dream, a lot, yes[1], and, listen, when we can ...[2], and ... yes, yes, yes![1], and we dream, a lot, yes[2], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that golden day ...[1], and ... yes, yes, yes![2], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in paradise[1], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that gol den d ay ...[2], and smiling, so uncommon, actually[1], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in parad ise[2], and ... 'Yippee!'[1], and smiling, so uncom mon, actually[2], and ... tell me![3], and ... 'Yippee!'[2], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[3], and, Christ ...[3], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[3], and stay hard![3], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![3], and I don't, no, I don't care[3], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[3], and, no, no, no[3], and don't chicken out on me![3], and hell is real[3], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[3], and you've come this far, so ...[3], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[3], and life is a nightmare[3], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[3], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[3], and, spin, spin, spin![3], and ... come on![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![3], and ... 'Will it last?'[3], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[3], and believe it![3], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[3], and, listen, when we can ...[3], and we dream, a lot, yes[3], and ... yes, yes, yes![3], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that g  o  l  d  e  n d  a  y ...[3], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in p  a  r  a  d  i  s  e[3], and smiling, so u  n  c  o  m  m  o  n, actually[3], and ... 'Yippee!'[3], and

And ... tell me![1], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[1], and ... tell me![2], and, Christ ...[1], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[2], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[1], and, Christ ...[2], and stay hard![1], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[2], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![1], and stay hard![2], and I don't, no, I don't care[1], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![2], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[1], and I don't, no, I don't care[2], and, no, no, no[1], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[2], and don't chicken out on me![1], and, no, no, no[2], and hell is real[1], and don't chicken out on me![2], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[1], and hell is real[2], and you've come this far, so ...[1], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[2], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[1], and you've come this far, so ...[2], and life is a nightmare[1], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[2], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[1], and life is a nightmare[2], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[1], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[2], and, spin, spin, spin![1], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[2], and ... come on![1], and, spin, spin, spin![2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![1], and ... come on![2], and ... 'Will it last?'[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![2], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[1], and ... 'Will it last?'[2], and believe it![1], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[2], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[1], and believe it![2], and, listen, when we can ...[1], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[2], and we dream, a lot, yes[1], and, listen, when we can ...[2], and ... yes, yes, yes![1], and we dream, a lot, yes[2], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that golden day ...[1], and ... yes, yes, yes![2], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in paradise[1], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that gol den d ay ...[2], and smiling, so uncommon, actually[1], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in parad ise[2], and ... 'Yippee!'[1], and smiling, so uncom mon, actually[2], and ... tell me![3], and ... 'Yippee!'[2], and have YOU(!) got what it takes?[3], and, Christ ...[3], and, listen, kook(s)! ... I don't want to see any slacking off a-ROUND here, you dig?[3], and stay hard![3], and this ... is the ultimate test of your sanity / and, well ... your insanity, really - oh, who cares?![3], and I don't, no, I don't care[3], and we're going beyond the ... THREE - !!! / and, uh ... ... ... one day, obviously, oh, maybe not today, like[3], and, no, no, no[3], and don't chicken out on me![3], and hell is real[3], and you don't want to be like all the squares in the COLD WORLD, do you?[3], and you've come this far, so ...[3], and, listen ... I salute you! / and, well, I suppose ...[3], and life is a nightmare[3], and, uh, uh, uh ... I'm thinking now[3], and, to be honest, it would be a terrible shame ... if you turned into shit right before my eyes, so ...[3], and, spin, spin, spin![3], and ... come on![3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and like it's going out of style, ha![3], and ... 'Will it last?'[3], and the best spinners spin forever / and there is no end to us and our capabilities[3], and believe it![3], and our passion - I mean, that's what it is, man - will never go out of style[3], and, listen, when we can ...[3], and we dream, a lot, yes[3], and ... yes, yes, yes![3], and we keep on, on, on, ah, dreaming, waiting for that g  o  l  d  e  n d  a  y ...[3], and I'm pretty sure we'll be together in p  a  r  a  d  i  s  e[3], and smiling, so u  n  c  o  m  m  o  n, actually[3], and ... 'Yippee!'[3], and

Invitation - why, why, why?!

WHY - ?!

Why would I be invited to something like this? Why would anyone?! 'What's this, boss?' Invitation, Voice. This - !!!

Invitation to presentation of Sectra's three-month interim report on September 3, 2019, Linkoping, Sweden - August 22, 2019 - The international medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company Sectra will publish its interim report for the period May to July 2019 on September 3, 2019. Sectra invites analysts, investors, and the media to attend a teleconference/audiocast in conjunction with the publication of the report.

Publication of the interim report: 8:15 a.m. September 3, 2019

Presentation and audiocast: 10:00 a.m. September 3, 2019

Jesus H. Christ! Is there any need for this? Really? 'Some people might think so, boss.' Yeah. 'Some people might like it.' Yeah. 'Some people might have been dreaming about it for months. Well, since the last one, anyway.' The last what? 'The last presentation of a report, man. I presume there have been others. Weren't you invited?' Ha! I probably was, Voice, but I can't remember.

Why would I remember?

...

Well, well ... / I'm back at work again, dear reader(s), for my sins. After a week off, like. 'Did you have a nice time?' I didn't go anywhere. 'Oh.' Unless you count Richmond as somewhere. I know some people do. / Yes, I walked to Richmond twice. For the sake of my health, you understand, kook(s). Do you understand? 'They understand.' I can't say I feel any better though. 'Maybe you should do a Hell Week. Like our Goggins.' Well, I'm thinking about it, son. I mean, my own version of it.

You see, kook(s), in Navy SEAL training they have this Hell Week from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon, 130 hours, where they just, uh ... go through hell, basically. And the trainee SEALs only get four hours of sleep. 'Every night? That's not too bad.' During the whole 130 hours, idiot! 'Christ!' Yeah. Big time.

And, you know ... maybe I could do my normal blogging one week, and then do my music the rest of the time. 'With only four hours of sleep?!' That's the idea. 'Ha! Rather you than me, boss.' Er, you'll be with me, Voice. 'Fuck that!' I'm serious. 'Fuck that!'

Yeah, yeah. Whatever.

Oh, it won't be physical. Just mental. 'You said it!' Shut up!

Hell Week in SEAL training is a mental test, anyway. What can you put up with? What can you survive?

You dig?

Actually, when I was younger - much younger, ah, the apple trees, blossoms in the breeze, etc. - I once went four days with only four hours of sleep. 'Great!' I had a diabolical toothache, and during that time I also worked three ten-hour night shifts in a supermarket.

Okay, okay. Laters!

End of summer tunes

Update, Sunday 18th: I'm taking a week off, dear reader(s), so I'll see you, uh ... next week. I'm not going anywhere nice or anything. / By the way, I'm reading that Goggins book. It's brilliant. There's an hilarious bit where he gets attacked by a raccoon. [Like Uncle Monty's cat in Withnail and I ... "Yet again that oaf has destroyed my day."] I haven't laughed so much in years. The rest of the book is serious though. Real hard-core shit. / Well, laters!


Right. Obviously, it's the end of the week, too. So ...

Summer's Almost Gone. The Doors.

Autumn Almanac. The Kinks.

Oh, I know you can't hear them, kook(s). You'll have to find them for yourself on YouTube or something.

And from Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue ...

Moonshine.

You and I.

Just to remind you ...

Daryl Easlea: "Pacific Ocean Blue is the amusement arcade with the paint peeling, the carnie clown's cracked make-up fading as they pack away their act after another late September weekend of half-full applause and bitter tears. The other side of summer."

Well, well ... / Ah, that's enough end of summer tunes. I don't want to get all depressed like our Euan, do I? 'No!' No, no, no.

...

Anything else? Well, I've just ordered Can't Hurt Me. Yes. I'm deadly serious about going FULL GOGGINS. It's the only thing that will save me.

Christ. Those sit-ups ... hurt, though. I haven't done any proper exercise for years, apart from the occasional walk.

But suffering is good for you, isn't it?

...

I'm thinking ...

You and I ... is a wonderful album track, man. Nice, and beautiful, and relaxed. It's not trying to prove anything. It's not a world-beater. Not even a bread-and-butter classic. Do you know what I mean? / I would like to write some songs like that one day, but not now. Oh no! It would be too self-indulgent and unambitious at a time when I need hits, hits, hits. You dig? Oh, I hope so.

Actually, not every world-beater needs to be a hit. A Day In The Life by The Beatles wasn't a hit, wasn't even a single. / I suppose these songs have got to be "overpowering" more than anything else. Awe-inspiring, like.

They've just got to be "special".

Uh. Uh. Uh.

Er ... I might write the lyric for Good Times/Bad Times on Sunday, if I'm not reading that book.

My sixth world-beater. Closer to the ten I want. (As a base, I mean. I won't be stopping at ten.)

Jesus. I don't know. I don't know if I've got time to write another four before I launch my new demo. It's just that I have a very big vision now: ten world-beaters, strong performing skills, and a shit-together personality.

It's my obsession, son. [Daughter.]

...

Do you know that David Goggins used to be scared of the water? So what did he do? He decided to become a Navy SEAL. The guy's a fucking lunatic, frankly.

Anyway, later(s), blog fan(s). Have a nice weekend!

Talking about the end of summer with Euan Munro

Yeah, Euan phoned me last night. Late last night. He was depressed about the weather.

This is what was spoken between us ...

Hello, Michael. How are you doing? I'm okay, Euan. How are you? I'm all right. Yeah? Yeah. You sound a bit depressed, man. It's this weather, Mikey. I think the summer is over. We might get a few more nice days. Maybe. It didn't last long though, did it? The hot spell, I mean. No, I suppose not. Did you go to Cornwall? Yeah. I went to Looe for five days. Oh, good. Did you visit Polperro? Because I know you get that recurring nightmare about going to Looe and not visiting Polperro. Yes, Euan, I went one morning. It wasn't all that. I prefer Looe now. Oh, okay. Are you still in the park, with the tents? No. We've packed up now. So you're going to the pub again? Yes. What about work? Anything happening at work? Ha! Don't ask me, son. Ask those Schroders mugs. Are they still looking after the funds for you?! Yeah. Idiots. Ha! Why do they do it?! You don't even pay them. I don't know, Mikey. They're humanitarians or something. Idiots. Exactly.

Well, well ... / There was a bit more, dear reader(s). But nothing too interesting. Not for you, anyway. I mean, there was no finance talk because Euan point blank refuses to talk about such nonsense. That's why I like him so much.

Aviva Investors: a refuge from the modern world.

They can use that, if they like.

...

Anything else? Listen! I'm doing ten sit-ups now before I perform every song. 'Why, Mikey?!' Oh, hello, Voice. BECAUSE(!) ... I've realized that my lack of energy/fitness is a problem when it comes to performing. 'Oh.' So, I'm trying to fix that.

And after each song ... I do a set amount of spider exercise on the guitar, too, and a barre chord exercise.

Then I start again. As many times as I can in a day. It won't be much on heavy blogging days, but I hope to do loads on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

That's my new discipline, kook(s). I'm going FULL GOGGINS. 'Is that wise, boss?' I've got to do it, Voice. NO CHOICE.

[No. 732] Dance Hall Days

I rather like this song, as you know.

And, yes, Wang Chung[1], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[1], and, yes, Wan g Chun g[2], and a-ROUND here ...[1], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[2], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![1], and a-ROUND here ...[2], and my baby ... ?[1], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![2], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[1], and my baby ... ?[2], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![1], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[2], and she needs me ... ?[1], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![2], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[1], and she needs me ... ?[2], and, no, no, no[1], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[1], and, no, no, no[2], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[2], and ... 'Tears?'[1], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[2], and we don't want no tears, no![1], and ... 'Tears?'[2], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[1], and we don't want no tears, no![2], and it's not a song, kook(s)[1], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[2], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[1], and it's not a song, kook(s)[2], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[1], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[2], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[1], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[2], and a-ROUND here ... yes![1], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[2], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![1], and a-ROUND here ... yes![2], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[1], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![2], and they don't appreciate us[1], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[2], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[1], and they don't appreciate us[2], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[1], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[2], and, so ...[1], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[2], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![1], and, so ...[2], and there will never be an end[1], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![2], and, yes, W  a  n  g C  h  u  n  g[3], and there will never be an end[2], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[3], and a-ROUND here ...[3], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![3], and my baby ... ?[3], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[3], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![3], and she needs me ... ?[3], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[3], and, no, no, no[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[3], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[3], and ... 'Tears?'[3], and we don't want no tears, no![3], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[3], and it's not a song, kook(s)[3], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[3], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[3], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[3], and a-ROUND here ... yes![3], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![3], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[3], and they don't appreciate us[3], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[3], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[3], and, so ...[3], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![3], and there will never be an end[3], and

And, yes, Wang Chung[1], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[1], and, yes, Wan g Chun g[2], and a-ROUND here ...[1], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[2], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![1], and a-ROUND here ...[2], and my baby ... ?[1], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![2], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[1], and my baby ... ?[2], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![1], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[2], and she needs me ... ?[1], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![2], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[1], and she needs me ... ?[2], and, no, no, no[1], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[1], and, no, no, no[2], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[2], and ... 'Tears?'[1], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[2], and we don't want no tears, no![1], and ... 'Tears?'[2], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[1], and we don't want no tears, no![2], and it's not a song, kook(s)[1], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[2], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[1], and it's not a song, kook(s)[2], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[1], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[2], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[1], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[2], and a-ROUND here ... yes![1], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[2], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![1], and a-ROUND here ... yes![2], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[1], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![2], and they don't appreciate us[1], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[2], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[1], and they don't appreciate us[2], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[1], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[2], and, so ...[1], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[2], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![1], and, so ...[2], and there will never be an end[1], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![2], and, yes, W  a  n  g C  h  u  n  g[3], and there will never be an end[2], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[3], and a-ROUND here ...[3], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![3], and my baby ... ?[3], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[3], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![3], and she needs me ... ?[3], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[3], and, no, no, no[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[3], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[3], and ... 'Tears?'[3], and we don't want no tears, no![3], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[3], and it's not a song, kook(s)[3], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[3], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[3], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[3], and a-ROUND here ... yes![3], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![3], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[3], and they don't appreciate us[3], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[3], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[3], and, so ...[3], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![3], and there will never be an end[3], and

And, yes, Wang Chung[1], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[1], and, yes, Wan g Chun g[2], and a-ROUND here ...[1], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[2], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![1], and a-ROUND here ...[2], and my baby ... ?[1], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![2], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[1], and my baby ... ?[2], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![1], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[2], and she needs me ... ?[1], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![2], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[1], and she needs me ... ?[2], and, no, no, no[1], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[1], and, no, no, no[2], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[2], and ... 'Tears?'[1], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[2], and we don't want no tears, no![1], and ... 'Tears?'[2], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[1], and we don't want no tears, no![2], and it's not a song, kook(s)[1], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[2], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[1], and it's not a song, kook(s)[2], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[1], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[2], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[1], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[2], and a-ROUND here ... yes![1], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[2], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![1], and a-ROUND here ... yes![2], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[1], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![2], and they don't appreciate us[1], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[2], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[1], and they don't appreciate us[2], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[1], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[2], and, so ...[1], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[2], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![1], and, so ...[2], and there will never be an end[1], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![2], and, yes, W  a  n  g C  h  u  n  g[3], and there will never be an end[2], and, yes, on repeat, obviously[3], and a-ROUND here ...[3], and it's very Eighties / and it's a bit naff, sure / and, BUT(!) ... it's mesmerizing, man![3], and my baby ... ?[3], and, well, I need her ... I suppose[3], and I wouldn't take my baby by the hair, or the ears ... / ... and are these guys depraved or something?![3], and she needs me ... ?[3], and we all have our darkest fears ... / and ... 'Tell me about it, Mikey!'[3], and, no, no, no[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and let's try to forget them, uh, our ears[3], and ... 'Ears?!' / ... and, ha!, I mean, fears[3], and ... 'Tears?'[3], and we don't want no tears, no![3], and, Christ! ... this ain't no fucking poem, Voice, so let's forget the rhymes, eh?[3], and it's not a song, kook(s)[3], and the end, uh ... it won't be ... well, it will be ... long, long, long[3], and I'll spin until I'm sick, sick, sick[3], and ... you, you, YOU(!), too?[3], and a-ROUND here ... yes![3], and impress me with your endurance, baby, ah, go on![3], and a-ROUND here ... we should suffer for the entertainment of the squares ... ?[3], and they don't appreciate us[3], and, no, no, no ... this is for our benefit only[3], and some of these days, you'll miss me, honey / and one of these spins ... you'll want me, yes[3], and, so ...[3], and this is to be continued ... ? / and what do you think?![3], and there will never be an end[3], and

Your mindset is everything in life

If you have a weak mindset, you need to change it. If you have a victim mindset, you need to change it.

Oh, if you want to achieve great things, of course. Maybe you don't. Maybe you want to stay the way you are. Fine. / Is that fine? I don't think it's fine.

Well, not for me. The last few years, I've been trying to change, man. Until yesterday, I would have said that I was 80 percent changed. But after discovering David Goggins and the importance of suffering, I reckon it's 100 percent now. A total shift.

I need to get his book, Can't Hurt Me. I would really like the audiobook, but it's not on Google Play. Damn! It better be on there soon.

The funny(?) thing is, there was a lot of talk of suffering in the Vance/Musk book, but I didn't really focus on that aspect for some reason. I suppose Goggins really puts it in your face.

A weak mindset. What is that? A feeling that you can't do anything, and can't push yourself. It's an acceptance of powerlessness. Where does it come from? I'm thinking that maybe it comes from the victim mindset.

Now, as we all know, there are genuine victims in this life because life ain't pretty, man, BUT(!) ... thinking of yourself as a victim - even if it's justified - is fucking deadly! You can't achieve anything great with that mindset, and you will only ever be popular with other victims ... so you can all comfort each other, I suppose. I don't know. It's not good though, is it?*

Okay, okay. Listen! If you've suffered, dear reader(s), join the club! However, don't cry about the terrible things in your past. And don't cry about the terrible things in your present. And don't look forward to the terrible things in your future. [I mean, there's a sort of sick pleasure there.] Become a bad mofo instead!

I've had this fantasy for a long time ... that I can achieve something great and then take it easy. You know, become a rock star and then enjoy my massive house in Malibu. Or become a songwriter, with a lucrative publishing deal, and then disappear to St Ives for eight weeks, where I will, uh ... walk around the beaches and cliffs, and eat pasties, and go to the pub in the evening ... ? No, I don't think so. That will be trading strength for weakness.

I've mentioned this before ... Picasso worked until six in the morning on the day of his death at the age of ninety-one. Why the hell did he do that?! Didn't he deserve a rest after a long life of creating art? How could one more painting or drawing add anything to his reputation at that late stage? Well, he didn't give a fuck. He was an artist. That's it. He may have been in pain for all we know. He didn't care. He kept being himself - THE GREAT, LEGENDARY PICASSO AND BADDEST ART MOFO - right until the last moment.

You dig?


*Obviously, I realize that various right-wing nutjobs like to use these arguments to stop downtrodden people in society complaining about their situations. However, the world and human nature won't be changing any time soon - not in this regard, anyway - so ... refuse to be a victim, man! Just fucking refuse!

[No. 731] Suffer for glory

We must all suffer! Not just me.

And how do you feel ... ?[1], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[1], and how do you feel ... ?[2], and you need my pain[1], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[2], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[1], and you need my pain[2], and in a trance ...[1], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[1], and in a trance ...[2], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[2], and ... you feel?[1], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![2], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[1], and ... you feel?[2], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[1], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[2], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![1], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[2], and listen![1], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![2], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[1], and listen![2], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[1], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[2], and ... 'Help!'[1], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[2], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a rainbow, man?[1], and ... 'Help!'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[1], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a rain bow, man?[2], and the truth, is ...[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[2], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![1], and the truth, is ...[2], and it could be a lot worse[1], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![2], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[1], and it could be a lot worse[2], and you're pretty safe, really[1], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[2], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[1], and you're pretty safe, really[2], and ... come on![1], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[2], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[1], and ... come on![2], and fear is your friend[1], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the King of Pain[1], and fear is your friend[2], and I am the Master of Reality[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the Kin g o f Pa in[2], and how do you feel ... ?[3], and I am the Mast er o f R eality[2], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[3], and you need my pain[3], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[3], and in a trance ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[3], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![3], and ... you feel?[3], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[3], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[3], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![3], and listen![3], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[3], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[3], and ... 'Help!'[3], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a r  a  i  n  b  o  w, man?[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[3], and the truth, is ...[3], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![3], and it could be a lot worse[3], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[3], and you're pretty safe, really[3], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[3], and ... come on![3], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[3], and fear is your friend[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the K  i  n  g o  f P  a  i  n[3], and I am the M  a  s  t  e  r o  f R  e  a  l  i  t  y[3], and

And how do you feel ... ?[1], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[1], and how do you feel ... ?[2], and you need my pain[1], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[2], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[1], and you need my pain[2], and in a trance ...[1], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[1], and in a trance ...[2], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[2], and ... you feel?[1], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![2], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[1], and ... you feel?[2], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[1], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[2], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![1], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[2], and listen![1], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![2], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[1], and listen![2], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[1], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[2], and ... 'Help!'[1], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[2], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a rainbow, man?[1], and ... 'Help!'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[1], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a rain bow, man?[2], and the truth, is ...[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[2], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![1], and the truth, is ...[2], and it could be a lot worse[1], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![2], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[1], and it could be a lot worse[2], and you're pretty safe, really[1], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[2], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[1], and you're pretty safe, really[2], and ... come on![1], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[2], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[1], and ... come on![2], and fear is your friend[1], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the King of Pain[1], and fear is your friend[2], and I am the Master of Reality[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the Kin g o f Pa in[2], and how do you feel ... ?[3], and I am the Mast er o f R eality[2], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[3], and you need my pain[3], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[3], and in a trance ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[3], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![3], and ... you feel?[3], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[3], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[3], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![3], and listen![3], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[3], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[3], and ... 'Help!'[3], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a r  a  i  n  b  o  w, man?[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[3], and the truth, is ...[3], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![3], and it could be a lot worse[3], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[3], and you're pretty safe, really[3], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[3], and ... come on![3], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[3], and fear is your friend[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the K  i  n  g o  f P  a  i  n[3], and I am the M  a  s  t  e  r o  f R  e  a  l  i  t  y[3], and

And how do you feel ... ?[1], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[1], and how do you feel ... ?[2], and you need my pain[1], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[2], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[1], and you need my pain[2], and in a trance ...[1], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[1], and in a trance ...[2], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[2], and ... you feel?[1], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![2], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[1], and ... you feel?[2], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[1], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[2], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![1], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[2], and listen![1], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![2], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[1], and listen![2], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[1], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[2], and ... 'Help!'[1], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[2], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a rainbow, man?[1], and ... 'Help!'[2], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[1], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a rain bow, man?[2], and the truth, is ...[1], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[2], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![1], and the truth, is ...[2], and it could be a lot worse[1], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![2], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[1], and it could be a lot worse[2], and you're pretty safe, really[1], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[2], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[1], and you're pretty safe, really[2], and ... come on![1], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[2], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[1], and ... come on![2], and fear is your friend[1], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[2], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the King of Pain[1], and fear is your friend[2], and I am the Master of Reality[1], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the Kin g o f Pa in[2], and how do you feel ... ?[3], and I am the Mast er o f R eality[2], and, yes, yes, I know the spinning is easy, oh, for you / and, BUT(!) ... maybe it's too easy, you dig?[3], and you need my pain[3], and I'll make it hard, maybe too hard[3], and in a trance ...[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and the pain is coming for you[3], and in, in, in ... ah, so deep![3], and ... you feel?[3], and this, this, this ... is hell NOW(!) ... because I say so[3], and ... 'What, Mikey?!'[3], and a-ROUND here ... ? / and, well ... where else?![3], and listen![3], and there are visions, hellish visions, that I will pass on to you / and you must suffer them[3], and ... see! / and do YOU(!) ... see?[3], and ... 'Help!'[3], and it's not pretty, no, the shit in my head / and tell me! ... Did I promise you a r  a  i  n  b  o  w, man?[3], and ... 'Ha, ha, ha ...'[3], and the truth, is ...[3], and I've suffered, uh ... like you won't believe / and try to believe, though, please![3], and it could be a lot worse[3], and hairy demons, red eyes in the darkness ...[3], and you're pretty safe, really[3], and these visions ... (Do you have them?) ... oh, they are just a little taste[3], and ... come on![3], and nights of chaos? / and you don't want to know, baby / and I will protect you, yes[3], and fear is your friend[3], and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND, and a-ROUND ... / ... and I am the K  i  n  g o  f P  a  i  n[3], and I am the M  a  s  t  e  r o  f R  e  a  l  i  t  y[3], and

A new ABL director

That's it! I'm a bad mofo!!!

And forget about what I said last week, dear reader(s). I will write about music, and myself, and motivation ... as well as finance. Why not? Who cares?! 'No one cares, boss. You can write about any shit you like.' Yes, Voice. YES - !!!

So, I'm writing about this now ... uh, PR email, for my sins ...

Independent Growth Finance (IGF), a leading independent commercial finance provider, appoints Dave Pickup as ABL Director for the Thames Valley. Investment in the region follows another successful year for IGF, which included a 39 percent growth in funded assets and a 29 percent growth in revenues.

Okay, okay. Listen! Uh, Christ ... / Let's not have any jokes about football firms, hooligans, etc. The IGF are legitimate business people, you dig?

Having worked in the finance industry since 2001, Pickup specializes in improving SME's cash flow through alternative funding. Providing facilities for every stage of a business' journey including start-up finance, MBOs and acquisitions, as well as general working capital. His industry experience will support IGF's growth ambitions and presence in the Thames Valley region.

So, yeah ... our Dave has joined The IGF. So what?! That doesn't mean he's up for a ruck at the weekend. 'Ha!' I know what you're thinking, dear reader(s), but our Dave just isn't like that.

As IGF continues to back ambitious UK SMEs, Pickup brings a wealth of invoice finance expertise to the company. He joins from RBS, where he held the position of Business Development Manager for almost five years. Prior to this he headed up the Thames Valley SME Invoice Finance team at Metro Bank. Before invoice finance his career saw him work in the trade finance and credit insurance industries.

So, he was in The RBS. That's the bank, obviously.

Okay, okay. Let's hear him speak!

Dave Pickup, ABL Director, IGF, says: "This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the team at IGF. The various roles I've held over the last 20 years have given me a wealth of experience in areas that affect SMEs in the UK. I'm looking forward to increasing the diversity of finance options available to Thames Valley businesses, ultimately helping to unlock their growth potential."

Thank you, Dave. / You see? It's all perfectly civilized. There won't be any trouble. No one's going to get their head kicked in.

Okay, okay. And top boy John Onslow? What does he say, uh ... comment?

John Onslow, CEO of The IGF, comments: "Despite political and economic uncertainty our business is thriving. As such, we continue to be very optimistic about 2019 and beyond. In appointing Dave to the Thames Valley area we're confident we have the right people in the right places to support even more businesses. Our business and our clients will benefit from his extensive knowledge and deep understanding of the SME sector."

Thank you, John. / You see? They've got the right people in the right places. Probably lookouts as well. 'Bloody hell!' So, don't mess with these guys, kook(s)! You don't want to go home in a fucking ambulance, do you?

...

Right. Uh. Anything else? Motivation? Listen! I'm not listening to those audiobooks no more, man. [Just occasional YouTube videos like the one above.] I know everything I need to know. I've just got to be active now. From early morning to late night. That's it!

And TV? Maybe I'll have it on in the background because I don't like silence. But I won't seriously watch it. You dig?

Laters!

Guess what ...

Yeah, obviously ... it's the last post of the week, dear reader(s), sure, BUT(!) ... it's also the last post where I will discuss personal stuff and music. Seriously. Except maybe the conceptuals. Anything can go in those posts.

I need to be more disciplined. Not just in this blog, which is actually a financial blog, ha! ... but in my life, you dig?

I'm not sure about the TV now. I might pack it in again. I mean, yesterday I watched Quincy, Minder, The Professionals, and The Sweeney. I didn't really enjoy them though. Not like I used to. The problem is, my consciousness has changed ... a bit ... but, uh ... not enough. You dig? I need to finish the job. How? Well, I need to pick a motivational audiobook and stick to it. / Take my advice, kook(s): if you keep switching books, you're going to fuck your brain up.

And music? My music? Listen! I've got to choose. To finish my new song, or to continue rehearsing the songs for my demo. Or ... to do both at the same time. I don't know.

The fact is, we've got too many choices in life. You too! How do you choose, son? Daughter. Tell me!

Ah, never mind. I'll play some tunes now.

Angels. Robbie Williams. / This is a song I left off that world-beater song list by living writers (12th June) ... uh, by mistake, like. I know Robbie ain't too cool, man, but the song is what it is. [The writing of it was a bit controversial. There's an Irish guy who had the original idea for the song, and wrote a lot of it, but he didn't get a writing credit. Or much money. He sold all the rights.]

By The Time I Get To Phoenix. Glen Campbell. / Awesome, and one of my favourites, BUT(!) ... I find the praise for songwriter Jimmy Webb a bit over the top at times. He wrote two great songs in the Sixties. Two. In the Sixties. Do you know what I mean?

Wichita Lineman. Glen Campbell. / Yeah, here's the other one.

[Well, well. Er ... Galveston is a pretty good Webb song, yes. But I'm not listening to it, no. Oh ... MacArthur Park is absolute gash, by the way. I'm certainly not listening to that shit! Christ!]

Rockin' Chair. Oasis. / One of their great B-sides. Listen! Certain artists promoting themselves on Twitter - oh, with record deals, some of them - have got to ask themselves why they can't write singles this good. This was a fucking B-side, man!

Okay, okay. Have a nice weekend. Won't you?

Laters.

Digital transformation

Uh. Uh. Uh. / Listen! Oh, not more digital crap. No, no, no! Man, we need spiritual transformation! Or psychological transformation. 'And, uh ... emotional transformation, boss!' Yes, that, too, Voice. We need those three transformations, dear reader(s). Not digital crap. Christ!

However, it's the only decent PR email I've received, so ... 'Give them a chance, boss. Maybe they'll talk some sense.' Yeah, yeah.

A new research report, launched today[yesterday] by the Cloud Industry Forum and Aryaka, has found that an overwhelming majority (96 per cent) of UK financial services organizations use cloud-based technologies today. Moreover, 87 per cent expect to increase their usage over the next 12 months, thereby paving the way for a smarter and hyperconnected future.

I'll be honest with you, kook(s), I don't even know what this cloud stuff is. 'Ha! You must know!' I honestly don't know, Voice. To me, a cloud is a thing that floats around the sky. And that's the way I want to keep it. Anything else is the work of the devil.

But anyway ...

UK financial services organizations are rapidly embracing new cloud-enabled technologies to transform the ways they operate and serve their customers, although skills shortages, security barriers, and worries about compliance are standing in the way of the digital transformation of the sector. Although 78 per cent of financial services business have a digital transformation strategy, 64 per cent stated that they lack the skills they need for successful implementation. In addition, well over half (58 per cent) agreed that their cloud security posture needed to be improved and a similar proportion (52 per cent) were not confident in their ability to meet their regulatory obligations. These are the key takeaways from a new research report launched today by the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) and Aryaka.

Christ! / Ian, mate, talk some sense. Please!

Commenting on the findings, Ian McEwan, senior vice president of international sales at Aryaka, says: "This research demonstrates that now is a crucial time for the UK's financial services sector to move to the cloud. With cloud spend set to surpass that of on-premise infrastructure in the next three years, how they achieve this is more relevant than ever and it is critical that the move to the cloud does not compromise security, regulatory and compliance requirements. The technology choices and partnerships UK financial services organizations make now will build the foundation for a secure future as they digitally transform and move legacy infrastructure to the cloud."

Fine. I suppose. Whatever. BUT(!) ... What's wrong with the astral plane, Ian? 'Ha! You banned business activities on the astral plane, boss. You've only got yourself to blame.' Well, maybe that was a mistake, Voice. I just didn't like all the vulgar people who were turning up, you know? 'That's the price you pay.' Ha! Well, it wasn't a mistake then. What do I care? I don't care.

Right. Come on, Alex! Have your say.

Alex Hilton, CEO of the Cloud Industry Forum, adds: "Financial services are clearly aware of the need for digital transformation, are rightly enthusiastic about the opportunities new digital technologies can deliver, and are using more cloud-based and digital services than ever before. This shift towards placing a greater reliance on trusted third parties is freeing up IT teams to focus on activities that can deliver comprehensive business change. However, it's important that these changes are underpinned by a rock-solid foundation of security, and that financial services have the right skills and partners in place to support their ongoing transformations - and the research confirms there's work yet to do on that front."

Security? The astral plane was secure, Alex. Seriously. Anyone got out of line and the ghosts of the dead financiers would kick their fucking teeth in! 'Lovely.' It had to be done, Voice. They kept order. 'And then you banned everybody.' Yeah, yeah.

Who cares? I don't care. Those days are over, kook(s).

...

Anything else? Audiobooks? I'm thinking I should listen to Jordan Belfort's Way of the Wolf on a loop now. It's not a motivational book. (I don't need no motivation!) It's about selling yourself and your product to the world.

My adaptation of Belfort's Straight Line for my songwriting works wonders, of course. Whenever I get a high-quality fragment of musical inspiration, I know that a great song is guaranteed!!! ... if I put it on a straight line and then work to my normal standards. And I can get those fragments from blackouts now, using my sleep deprivation method. If I do this for the next twenty or so years, the results will be scary, man.

Good Times/Bad Times will be my third great song in a row, and within the space of a year. [One day, I'll work harder, when I can get away from this blog, like. Oh, when I get a deal!] Nothing is more satisfying to me than writing a great song, a world-beater. It's literally magic time, son/daughter. Do you know what I mean? Never mind.

Laters.