Going, going, gone

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/robert-kubica-could-been-f1-4616509

This gave me some pause. Some of these things I can, by a lot of frankly disingenuous mental gymnastics, relate to, with my current 'situation'. A lot of these 'what is and what should never be' thoughts flit about in my thoughtbox. I have had my share of physical issues, with the minor September accident, and the aches and pains in general over the last 8 months or so - and I have been a little morose on account of my left wrist still not fully functional (due to said accident) and a hurting right shoulder blade. Reading and reflecting on this article is purely coincidental.

Kubica says:

“Last year, there was a plan for me to do a test in an F1 car and I was pretty comfortable that I could do it. But my question was ‘What’s next?’

“The next is not possible for me because of my limitations. So I didn't do it because I wanted to protect myself. There was too much risk that I would enjoy it and then... well, it would be like taking a knife and stabbing myself in the chest with it.

“Do I think about F1? Yes and no. You have to live for what is next, not from memories. I could go to F1 races and have more contact with friends and people I knew in F1. But I decided to avoid it.

“Not because I am not friendly but because it reminds me. I am honest. Watching an F1 race is not easy. For the first two years after my accident, I was concentrating on my recovery and it was easier for me to watch then.

“Now it is a bit more difficult. Not because I see Lewis and Nico fighting for the championship and I think I know them from a very young age, we were racing every season since 98, but just because I miss driving with them.

“I’d be okay if I never drive an F1 car again competitively. I would be better if I could but I know time is running against me."

Touché.

Cotard's blues

'You know, hard times
Just an old friend, just an old friend to me
I say hard times
Just an old friend, just an old friend to me
Tell me now, old friend, when you gonna let me be?
Tell me now, old friend, when you gonna let me be?
Tell me now, old friend, when you gonna let this poor man be?'

Then I said, "HAI!"

The Spider and The Fly - The Rolling Stones (1967)



"Sit up, fed up, lowdown, go round,
Down to the bar in the place I'm at,
Sitting, drinking, superficially thinking,
About the rinsed-out blonde on my left"

For best results, mix with:

The Werewolf

Constituents:

• One part Drambuie
• One part Jack Daniel's

Procedure:

It isn't particularly challenging. Dunk the constituents into a lowball glass. Or any glass. Don't be a c**t about it.

And then, stay with Wyman's bass and let your mind flit about a bit with the guitars of Keith and Brian doing what the Drambuie and JD are doing in your glass. Rinse and repeat.

Uninspired Unguent-man

As I don't have very much to do these days, I'll be doing this on this sad platform henceforth:

There's going to be a drink recommendation to go with the song suggestion that I put up on a daily weekly basis. So you should play that song and try to imbibe the drink I suggest. Simultaneously. Well, not really. You should do something productive with your time, but till then, this should keep you on the level.

You can guess the band whose music was the catalyst for this (good) timepass idea.

Attack, no release

Black cloud crossed my mind
Blue mist round my soul
Feel so suicidal
Even hate my rock and roll

And we have

moved. Maybe not. It's easier over there.

http://hillsideblues.tumblr.com/

And then some

There's a song on the lips of everybody,  
There's a smile all around the room, 
There's conversation overflowing,  
But I sit here with the blues.

This hotel bar has lost all its people,  
The piano man has caught the last bus home, 
The old bartender just collapsed in the corner,  
Why I'm still here, I just don't know, 
I don't know.

And this third sem song comes flooding back.

Thank you Guitarist magazine, issue 254, May 2012. And you too, Rory.

Baby Please Don't Go

Baby please don't go
Baby please don't go
Baby please don't go
I'm strung out here
And you know I love you so,
Baby please don't go
Well, your man done stoned
Yeah, your man done stoned
Hmm, your man's done gone
Yeah your man done gone
Took all that oxycodone
Baby please don't go
Salt-petre dough
Salt-petre dough
Salt-petre dough
But your man's out here
He's gonna walk the log
Honey please don't go
Mama, please don't go
Baby please don't go
Mama please don't go
See I'm bleeding so
I'm gonna die alone
Sugar please don't go
Them SLs have flown
All SLs have flown
Yeah SLs have flown
And them weeds have grown
Loving that methodone
Honey please don't go
They've made my tombstone
Yeah, they made my tombstone
Yeah that's my tombstone
Them weeds've overgrown
And I burn alone
Honey please don't go

Thank You, Once Again

“He was my childhood hero – I mean maybe he can close his ears now – but he was a true inspiration back then for me and other kids, as he mentioned, in Kerpen. He was our hero and obviously we had the honour to meet him.

“He was taking care of the championship held in Kerpen and came to the last race, gave all the trophies to everyone, every child. More than a hundred at a time so he was very patient. Now obviously I understand that the busy schedule he had, taking that extra time for the fans but especially for us, for the kids racing, was something very special, a very special memory.
 
“When I met him the first time obviously I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t want to ask something stupid but for sure I remember these moments and then later on and today I think it’s a little bit different became you are more grown up and have a normal relationship.
 
“So when I talk to him now it doesn’t feel like talking to my childhood hero it feels like talking to Michael so I see the person rather than what he has achieved. But obviously you remind yourself that and the fact that I was racing against him the last couple of years, unfortunately not as close as probably he shared with Fernando.
 
“Still that thought or that image was very far away when I was a small kid because he was already in Formula One but for me it was a dream, so very far away. But a very special last couple of years, very special I think the relationship we share and I think he will always be an inspiration for myself.”

Worshipful Mayor, It seems

No word, as of now, can even begin to describe the epicness in this frame. Juan Manuel Fangio and Steve McQueen, during the filming of Le Mans. Heroes forever.

Gurus

The true Appaiah.

Rise

"I have never been able to make the difference like in 2004 at Yamaha, but the situation has changed. The bikes count for more now than back then. Also, in 2004 I was 24 and at the top of my form. Now I'm 33...

"I'm a rider who has lived twice: I won five consecutive titles like only two others have managed in history. Then I lost, but I returned and won again. Let's hope I become the man who lived three times."

Dead Shrimp (and King) Blues

16th August is the death anniversary of Robert Johnson and Elvis Presley.

Here's to ripping them hellhounds apart, skewering them, and roasting them slowwwwly by a brook...

'The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby, hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind'

Came an Eritrean maiden she

Just don't bang on about yesterday

I wouldn't know about that anyway

Stillmatic

And that's all one needs to keep the faith. Vale put a big fat grin on my stupid face on Sunday with his performance at Le Mans, in the pouring rain, aboard a Ducati Desmosedici which has been supremely useless this year. The last three laps were just AAAAAARGH and had me screaming and hurling things at the TV. And, as he does most of the time, Rossi made the move on Stoner stick and crossed the line. Truth be told, that second place was way, waaaay more satisfying than some of his victories. I hope things keep improving steadily from here on in.

And who presented the constructors’ trophy to Yamaha on that day? MSC.

This brings me neatly to the topic of his (non) performance thus far this season. When he announced that comeback in December ‘09, I dreamt of wins and championship glory until I saw the Bahrain race, after which I pared my expectations down to more realistic levels. And then there was the annus horribilis of 2011, when Mercedes was completely shat on. I don't care for race wins or world titles anymore - all I want to see is some fighting performances, some good duels with those who have superior machinery under them, him getting the better of his team-mate, performing beyond the abilities of the car once in a while, making it to the podium a few times, that sort of thing.

On the grid, Schu was interviewed prior to the race and was asked about whether Rossi still had it in him, in light of the difficulties he is facing at Ducati, and the reply came instantly: “He’s a legend and has been World Champion so many times. You don’t ever lose that.”

Just remind me of the things that made me a worshipper in the first place. Once. Please?

Good Hair Days

'But it was to her hair that one's attention was most attracted. Heaps and heaps of blue-black coils and braids, a royal crown of swarthy bands, a veritable sable tiara, heavy, abundant, odorous. All the vitality that should have given color to her face seemed to have been absorbed by this marvellous hair. It was the coiffure of a queen that shadowed the pale temples of this little bourgeoise. So heavy was it that it tipped her head backward, and the position thrust her chin out a little. It was a charming poise, innocent, confiding, almost infantile.' - From McTeague by Frank Norris

And unsurprisingly, I thought of this:

A song for Trina Sieppe.

Yes? No? Please?

You might know why.

It's Raining Gollums!

Pest: Have you got a boyfriend?
Sam: Yeah.

Pest: Are you sure about him? Where is he? Cos he ain't exactly looking after you tonight.
Sam: He's in Ghana.

Pest: You go out with an African man?
Sam: No, he's helping children. He volunteers for the Red Cross.

Pest: Oh, is it? Why can't he help the children of Britain? Not exotic enough, is it? Don't get no nice suntan.

She Never Wants To

'I sent her every type of flower
I played her a guitar by the hour
I petted her revolting little Chihuahua
But still she just didn't want to.'

Madddddd mofo, this Nick Cave is.

Happy Bday Old Man :)

43rd birthday, and another full F1 season beckons. There is an end.

As long as it's not today.

You should walk before they make you run, or you might want to nuke them :)

YES.