Better Times

My ongoing saga with my telephone company (4 months) finally ended today when I had a telephone call from the Managing Director of the company. I put a bit of work in on the Internet last night, and managed to find his personal e mail address. Less than 12 hours later I get a call and he has resolved the problem, with an extra bonus to compensate for my time spent on the phone and writing letters. I will keep you posted if this actually happens as I wont know until my next bill arrives! My leg was healing well today, that was until I had to brake sharply to avoid White Van man who's indicators had obviously failed (!!!!) as he came hurtling round the island at me. Today has been a horrible day with regards to work. We see and have to work in some dire situations and conditions, and although I have a very strong stomach, today was quite a challenge. If only people knew. One day when I have finished in this line of business I am going to write a letter to the papers about a certain process that people ask for, and which is totally unnecessary (unless the person concerned had made it a last request) and extremely undignified compared to what we can and should do. The majority of people live in a 'bubble' and do not think about things, or how these requests are actually carried out.

Nudge Nudge

Enjoyed the blow last night at the Tuesday Band. We have played in the same room for many years. Even though they have changed the carpets, wallpaper and furniture, they have never modernised the windows. Consequently on one of the hottest nights of the year it felt as though we were playing in a sauna?. The windows don't open, never have and probably never will. As you looked into the audience, you could have been forgiven thinking we were playing in China with all the ladies waving fans. I was told last night by another member of the audience, that a more mature female member of the audience always goes 'Commando' (If you don't know what that means then I will spare your blushes) for all these years I thought someone was winking at me?

Bunny

Yesterday I ended up at casualty to have my leg checked out, as it has been 2 long painful weeks. despite my concerns that I may have chipped the bone, they would not x ray it, and told me to take some pain killers as it is probably muscular? Didn't know I had any muscles. Just while I am on full moan, I also have had toothache for the last few days, and I know a wisdom tooth has to come out at some point (I would jump out of a plane again, but hate the dentist) but keep putting it off. Managed to track down an organiser of a gig we are doing soon. As a Band we tend to run very smoothly, but it does not help when people do not reply to e mails or phone calls, as it just causes more work. This hot weather seems to have brought all sorts of biting bugs out to play. Most people at work have been bit and so has my partner. In fact her legs look like an atlas of the world in some places, and in full colour. I have been sleeping on top of the bed ala natural these past few nights (I keep waking up laughing ???) but as yet have not been bit. But I guess even bugs are fussy! By the way, I wonder if you can spot all of the names of our Band in the picture below?

Edam

The party's over. it's time to turn off the lights? Well something like that anyway. Tonight was the last night at the Oak until September. The room was packed and it was a great atmosphere. We made it a request evening, so no one in the Band knew what to expect. Because of the Summer Hols, we had 6 'deps' in the Band tonight. Very pleased to have 2 new trumpet players guesting with us. 1 female and 1 male (the girls are taking over!). Of special note was the young lad who sight read the whole prog. I have met a minority of musicians who brag that they are or have been 'pro's' but I have to say that this young lad would knock spots off them. He was well balanced within the section, and his solo's were complimentary to the pieces he was playing. On the down side, i managed to murder 'Embraceable You' in the second half. No excuses (only the one's I know) but will try harder next time. Kal the sax was asked to sing as well and did a great job on 'Under my Skin' . I had noticed a strange smell all night, and when I glanced across at Kal, I noticed he was wearing sandals!!! which reminds me, I must buy some Stilton this weekend.
A great finish to the Summer season. Now lets see what other adventures lay ahead?

12 inches

It was that hot last night I slept with my feet out of the window, and seeing that my bed is about 15 feet from it, it was a bit of a challenge, not to mention uncomfortable. I can't believe I am still limping around, nearly 2 weeks after my accident. Maybe a trip to the docs is on the cards! Last night at the Oak for a few weeks tonight, so it should be a a party atmosphere. As well as fronting the Band and playing the bone, I also do the secretary work. 99% of the time things run smoothly. Unfortunately you always get one function organiser that does not follow things up, even though they have provided timings etc. I am about to pull a gig, as the organisers have not replied to e mails or phone calls, and we have enough details that made it a genuine booking. I will keep you all posted on the comeback on this. We try not to let anyone down, but you find some people so laid back about things, that they have probably cancelled but did not have the decency to let us know.

yoghurt

Within the courtyard of Chatsworth House deep within the Derbyshire Dales, the Ockbrook 12 provided background music for a party of people raising money for childrens charities.
Although it was a humid evening, the heavens decided to open 10 minutes before we were about to start. There was a mad rush to cover the electrics and music, but on cue the rain stopped and the band got to start on time. It was a very relaxed 1st set, playing quieter music from our repertoire. We adjourned for light refreshments in the interval, and were well looked after with proper tea in china cups and some very expensive prawn wraps.
For our second set it had got extremely dark outside, and right at the back of the Band was Don our regular dep pianist. In his black DJ we could only see him when he smiled!!!
We managed to get people up to interact with the Band, and our walk around in Tuxedo went down very well. It was a great night, and a pleasure to play for the charity. The drive back was also extremely pleasurable through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Midlands. It was a challenge driving back through the grounds of Chatsworth, as all the sheep had decided to bed down in the middle of the road, and no amount of flashing lights or honking of horn would move them. It was more like an obstacle course to get out. A great night and a pleasurable end to the week.

Donna.

Someone up there is having a larf. Just as my tender nether region is healing nicely, I go and slip on some water in the corridor? Ouch, that hurt. My work mates were quite impressed with the amount of swear words I got in, within 5 seconds!!! Have a busy weekend ahead of me, but then things get a little less hectic. Give me time to get some constructive practice done hopefully.
It will be good to get back into training again as i have had to take things easy these last week. Everyone is complaining about how warm it is??? I am stuck in 'black's' all day, and I love this weather. Don't knock it because today might be summer'

Mine

So here I am still limping around, and my boss asks me how I am doing. So I say, a bit tender around the nether regions!! An hour later he sends me to move a very large sofa from a house into another building? Yep I am limping even more now. But am I complaining ;-)
This Sunday is the last of the RO Concerts for a few weeks, so we are going to hold a request evening. Who knows what we will get to play, but I can almost guarantee that the old favourites from the Miller library will be asked for? All these years, and that sound still stirs something in people. Out working with a different company this morning. It was really good to get back to the job I have been trained for, although it is a little painful carrying! I have been avidly watching the post this week for the return of my £75 from the car clamping people. And guess what was in the post this morning..................................................Nothing. And that is likely to be the case forever now. My mate said I should buy 4 clamps of my own, go back to Yorkshire and clamp my own car in the same car park? How would they get their clamp on if I had them on all 4 wheels. Knowing my luck though they would tow my car away with me in it!

LP

Played a little better last night but still not in the groove. Been painting and cementing and plastering today, but still limping badly.
A friend in the audience last night tells me he is really poorly, and it was hard to know what to say? I can be positive for other people but find it hard to be positive myself. The glass is always half empty, and when that half a glass is Stella ,it is a real shame?

Harold

Been doing brickie work today. As it is something I have never really done I found it really interesting. I am still limping around though with a bad leg after last weeks accident, and it does not seem to be getting any better. Got home to the shouts of 'Rag and Bone' tonight. it is something I have not heard or seen since the 70s, so i hobbled out with some stuff and threw it on the waggon. No horse though ala Steptoe and Son which was a shame. Hope my lip is better tonight.

Bingo

Took a ride out to Chatsworth House for a recce on a job that is coming up No Obb last night as it has been a hard blow this weekend. I am still making calls to my Telephone company to get back money they owe me, but it seems my calls are being dealt with somewhere abroad, which came as a real surprise to me????? It is infuriating that they are so powerful that they can mess you about as and when they want, and yet they are so inefficient at what they do? Soon no more Mr Nice Guy!

Veal

The OBB 11 played for a small and intimate wedding reception tonight. Although the Bride and Groom were of more mature years, most of the audience were extremely young. Saying that however, we had requests for Bobby Darren and they also danced the palais glide to our version of NYNY' Now a strange thing happened tonight. Dave B (The Bass Bone) came face to face with the son of Glenn Miller!!!!! True apparently. This guy's dad was named Glenn Miller? Spooky but it happened.
An update of Roy the wallets wing mirror incident. After a trip to town to buy sticky back plastic and screws (In the best Blue Peter tradition) he managed to get his wing mirror back in place. Unfortunately though allot of electrics are involved, Now when he switches the ignition on his CD player starts to play Vera Lynn tracks and his car seat starts to go up and down? Not a pretty sight really, to see him driving along the A52 with ' White Cliff's of Dover' blaring out, and his head bobbing up and down in time to the music. Oh well just another day in the life of the OBB.

And a prayer

Ten years ago we played for a 70th Birthday party. Tonight we played for the ladies 80th and she was still as sprightly as ever!! You have heard of the Magnificent 7, the Fantastic 4 and the Famous 5. Well tonight we used the Fabulous Ockbrook 12. Unfortunately though the night was spoilt somewhat by my old mate, Roy the Wallets car wing mirror being knocked off, by a passing moron in another vehicle (judging by the amount of space there was it might as well have been a Challenger Tank.). He found it when we went to pack up at the end of the gig. I tried to pacify him that it was not as bad as being clamped, but he was inconsolable as he would have to find the combination to open his wallet and pay for the repairs?

Deliver

Had an e mail today from the council within the area I was clamped. They say that this Car Park won 'The Dick Turpin' award and nothing can be done to stop them? Ah well I am sure my £75 is winging it's way back to me after the clamping company read my pleading letter. Oh yes I can be a right little pleader if I put my mind to it. Went to watch the second instalment of Narnia at the flicks last night. Only 13 of us in the cinema so we had the back row to ourselves. It's amazing though, the 13 people all wanted to sit near each other, which put paid to any hanky panky from my department!!!

East

How come that if you are with a phone company and you owe them money, they get it straight away? But if they owe you money it takes for ever. I am still being charged for dial up even though I changed in March. No amount of e mails or phone calls seem to solve the problem. The e mails I get back always sound very promising, but nothing ever transpires. Is it just me or is this country going down the pan? I think I will buy a camper van, and take off into the sunset. Earn my living busking. Come to think of it I would probably starve?

Demo

I am hobbling like an old man today (what do you mean I am an old man) The bruising from yesterdays high speed contact with the concrete, is coming out. It hasn't helped today at work, that we had to demolish a room with sledge hammers and crowbars!!! I played like an idiot last night. There was no inspiration for jazz at all, but then again I do seem to have allot on my mind at this time. Hope it comes back soon. Until then I will continue to practice and try and get my lip back as soon as possible.

Rugby

I had an accident at work today. I wont go into detail as it is embarrassing. All I am going to say is, it involved a very large Labrador dog, who had escaped from it's owner. It also involved a diving catch of the lead and the concrete and my right side. Needless to say I am hobbling a bit, and my slide vibrato is going to be much slower. I love Dog's but not that one!

Telephone

Dave the prog is off my xmas card list. I got 6 solo's last night (but only played 4 of them phew). Actually my lip lasted longer than I thought it would. Nice to hear that one of our oldest and longest serving members of the Band has got engaged. At the ripe old age of 103 (actually we are not sure how old he is) Eric 'The Spider' has done the honourable thing and bought his partner a ring. Actually it is nice to hear some good news, as when I got to work today I found out that 2 people I knew had passed away, and one had been diagnosed with a major illness. Think I will get in the car and just keep driving!

Nora

You can't beat your own bed. I forgot to mention, that there was another cottage above us, and the occupier seemed to be wearing diving boots and had a hobby of walking up and down at least a 100 times during the night? We did visit 'The Last of The Summer Wine' town and took a tour. Being in the trade, I had to take a look at Compo's (Bill Owens) grave and was surprised to see how sad and lonely it looked. Talking of graves, I also visited a town where mt Grandad worked and with a bit of detective work, found people that knew him. I have just seen the programme for tonight and it has 6 solo's, I hope Dave the prog is having a larf!!!!

Robbing hud

I have just got back from Bronte Country. Now if anyone asks me if I had a nice holiday, I really wont know how to answer? So maybe you can tell me.
It rained every day, all day.
On the first day of the holiday my car was clamped. Although the guy had watched me pay for the ticket it had blown over on the dashboard as I closed my car door, so it was upside down. So 10 minutes into the hours parking we had, he clamped me. It cost me £75 pounds to get my car back. Turns out that all the locals know about this and it is run by crooks. If your car was parked touching the White line of the bay, you will get clamped. they even clamped the President of Australia? My stress levels were high before I went away, and went even higher. I also nearly split my head open on the doorway into the cottage bedroom as it was built for midgets? I did see the the Harworth Brass Band and met another Trombone player, but to be honest it wont go down as one of my top holiday destinations. I did take my bone but only managed a few minutes a day. So there you go, was it good or was it bad. I will let you all decide!!!

Fix

My PC is going away for maintenance. Back soon.

Chopper

Now to see how observant everyone is. I have changed my bins for a new pair, and at no extra cost(how's that for haggling) I am not going to say anything and see if my partner notices. Of course I know she will notice, as she is a woman, and doesn't miss a trick? Celebrated with a Mega gut busting breakfast, including chips, of which no doubt I will pay for later. Called in at the toys for boys gadget shop. I could spend a fortune in their, but resisted the urge. However I do fancy one of those remote control Helicopters, of which I thought would be useful for picking out the winners of a spot waltz. Just fly it above the crowd and land it on someones head!!!!

Specky 4 Eyes

An extremely easy blow last night. The leader of the Band was off sick with bronchitis. I have been ducking and diving away from people with colds all week, and after visiting town today to collect my new glasses, I must have body swerved a hundred times to avoid people sneezing and coughing. as for my new specs... I hate em? Now I have to find a way of getting a new pair without it costing me to much money and without upsetting my partner, who says they look lovely? I have never looked lovely lol.

Sarnie

My intention last night was to spend some time doing my hair into a different style...however more gigs started coming in, and I suddenly found another hour had flown by. Had a nice thank you e mail from the Picnic in the Park team today. If you had seen the Band you would have thought they were pro. The only funny thing that happened was Colin the Voice's lead, falling out of the microphone during New York. In 5 seconds flat he had bent over, picked it up, and carried on singing. A real pro.