Back in the Smoke

[caddyman]

A long weekend away and now I'm back. The later pub hours spend with a depressed romney. I think the Lea charm managed to bring him out of his blue funk and dropped him into a purple one at least. He seemed somewhat cheerier exiting the pub than entering.

I am now indulging in ice-cold milk and choccy hobnobs. There are few finer ways of easing the alcoholic transition to sleep.

The weekend? I hear you ask. Imagine, rather than hear, let's be honest.

Well, Little Sister's 40th birthday do went without a hitch, a few of our clan turned up, a few didn't. A heap of her friends turned up as did most of her in-laws. This reminds me that if I can be arsed to have a party at the next significant milestone in my life which, I suppose will be 50 (Gad), they shall not be invited. My brother-in-law will - he's OK, but despite my better nature, I can find no word more fitting than 'scum' for his family.

The subject of birthday parties has got me thinking. I have always eschewed the formal shindig preferring instead a few friends in the pub. So my 18th, 21st, 30th and 40th milestones went unmarked other than by alcohol. The next is the 45th and I'm wondering whether or not to implement the lazy thought I had yonks ago when I realised that'd just missed a 33 1/3rd bash and could no longer do the 'favourite LP' thang. And until I hit 78 or (I think) 1,500 I'm running short of RPMs to attach to a birthday.

So.

Bearing in mind that it ain't till the beginning of February 2004, what do people think about a 45rpm party for my 45th? Eveyone brings their favourite vinyl single (or two) and we play the buggers at a location yet to be determined. You bring it we'll play it, but I reserve the right to play any old crap that's older than you, since that's what I am (a few exceptions out there, I know, but generally speaking it's true). Of course, I'm slightly handicapped by the fact that I bought very few singles, being an LP snob back in the day.

Which reminds me.

Does anyone have a record deck?

Comments

[oldnick.livejournal.com]

What a brilliant idea. I'm wondering about pinching it for early 2005.

I'm pretty sure my old deck didn't survive my last house move (15+ years ago), and like you I never had a vast number of singles. I'm just wondering where they all are - my remaining LPs are all tucked away in a cupboard, and I suspect the singles might be in my mum's loft.

I suppose it would be cheating to dig out an old Guiness book of Britsh Hit Singles which I pincehed from my sister many years ago, and which I can see on my bookshelves, and trawl the MP3 banks. OK - it would be cheating, but it might be a way of ensuring enough suitable music was available.

For what it may be worth

[sexbat.livejournal.com]

I have two record decks

[cybersofa.livejournal.com]

> I reserve the right to play any old crap that's older than you

If it plays at 45rpm then it isn't older than me. Wax cylinders, yes, but not 45s.

I do own a whole lot of mouldy old 1960s singles that I really should start transferring to .MP3 just in case I ever acquire an iPod.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Ah, you'd be one of the 'certain exceptions' then.

As it is, it's occurred to me since I posted the entry last night, I'm not sure where any of my 45s are. I may have to go with oldnick's idea of cheating with period MP3s which would be a bit of a swiz.

[westernind.livejournal.com]

at least we can sort you out with vinyl? I have pomp-rock concept albums...

[cybersofa.livejournal.com]

As the owner of not only masses of 45s, but also various items of associated hardware including a jukebox (Wurlitzer Americana II), I am emphatically in favour of the MP3 solution.

[nyarbaggytep.livejournal.com]

I have a very nice record deck. And some 45's. Somewhere in my parents house there is a gramophone and a bunch of old 78's for when you get really old...

[caffeine-fairy.livejournal.com]

Vinyl.

Vi-nyl.

Nope, it's not ringing any bells...

But it's a damn fine idea anyway.

[westernind.livejournal.com]

Yes to record deck.
And Yes to half a dozen Motorhead singles, other dodgy rock and the Laughing Gnome. Oh, and the Spitting Image Chicken Song.

[jfs.livejournal.com]

I think you have what few there were of my singles, along with what few there were of my LPs. Cupboard under the stairs?

[westernind.livejournal.com]

oh, that wasn't an exhaustive list, just the edited lowlights.
btw the cupboard under the stairs is less than 6" deep and contains merely an electric meter ;-)

[jfs.livejournal.com]

Sorry, in best Prince stylee, the CFUTS?

[westernind.livejournal.com]

ahhh, that cupboard. The vinyl LPs, including yours (LPsFY), are in two plastic stackerboxes in the southeastern corner of the attic; I fended off forbinproject's reasoned attempts to retire them to a charity shop. And the singles are by the front door.

[bitofstuff.livejournal.com]

I may not remember vinyl all that well, but I did have at some point a large collection of 45s from the 80s which belonged to my older brother - if I get to my mothers I will look them up, I don't remember whether he stole them back or not. In addition to which Matt/Delvy has a small collection of vinyl - I know, I have spent some fair time moving it to different places in the front room... But then I've never met you so may not be invited to any party... ;)