A Change Of…Terms?

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Where do I start? Well, I start by saying – the blog ends up being my safe place for a moan…a gripe…a whinge. Mostly because I know Jim doesn’t want to hear it. I appreciate that.

Well, I kind of expressed, briefly, in the comments about the use of the phrase “longterm” – like how I had my gripe that got me into a WHOLE HEAP of trouble about “real fans” – ooh, at least he steered clear of THAT! Lol

But I elaborated on my gripe here. I often do. And go on about wishing I could be his “penpal“…in a sense. (I could easily cut his hair. I cut my OH’s hair most of the time.) That I’d love to interview him for the blog. That I wish “discs and doughnuts” could actually be A THING – just one time – between the two of us. Also, I go on about how I miss him pretty much every day he isn’t on Facebook. Lol.

I just crave the connection I felt was there some time back.

I’m a clingy, lovelorn, emotionally retarded fuckhead – I know! (Honestly, Alasdair Gray’s writing speaks sssooo fucking much to me! I’m there most of the time thinking “Know how you feel, Al. You’re speaking my language, friend!” Geez, I wish I had got to meet him now! Damn!)

Something happened though. And when that “something” sometimes happens, I forget to give a word of thanks. A “thanks for listening”…for taking it on board. For making me feel like…I have a voice, I am still being listened to. Appreciated. That my feelings matter. That you still care. Maybe? Hopefully? Perhaps it’s all still just delusional wishful thinking…

But just in case, Jim…thank you! Coincidence, no doubt. Wishful thinking? Most likely. Even if so, the “change of heart” post was greatly appreciated.

And well…hey fans…feel like trying to get your story in the book? Expressing your “Sense Of Discovery” of Simple Minds? Here’s your chance! You have just over a month to submit something. I think this may be one HUMONGOUS book!

Ever since reading this morning’s post, this has been the earworm…

The Longterm?

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How does one define how ‘long’ the longterm is? I ponder because in Jim’s post today he talks about the “Book Of Brilliant Things” or whatever it’s going to end up being called. The fan-based SM compendium.

“….we are looking to create something to which all longterm Simple Minds fans will hopefully want to contribute their stories.”

Well, that wording makes me feel precluded from it immediately. “Longterm”. How long is longterm?

To me it by its very definition means a substantial number of years. And given that, my not quite six years of fandom would hardly qualify as “longterm”. Thirty plus years, perhaps? Had I stayed with them from 1985, definitely! I have certainly tried cramming 30+ years of fandom into these past near six years. I have probably got a bigger collection of memorabilia and been to more gigs than a lot of “longterm” fans.

But that is by the by, I guess. Because the yardstick seems to be a measure of time. Not money, emotional investment, affinity….or some deluded sense of affinity one felt they may have had.

I’ve told the story so many times now, I’m not even sure I have the heart to tell it any more in all honesty.

It’s all there in my art anyway. And if any of THAT was used or printed? Well…that would be the most amazing thing ever. But even to have had Jim share it on the SM FB page back in the day when he liked it and he wasn’t sick to death of me….

That will always be a treasure. It means more than just about anything else I’ve ever done in my sad, pathetic existence on this sphere.

He replied to someone today about needing a hair cut. “Cut mine and I’ll be your penpal.”

Jesus! Can you just stop being a tease?!

*sigh*

Better still…I’ll try and stop being a “try hard” and go away. Shuffle off…well…at least the SM planet, as someone suggested (and not just of the SM planet, either!) I do some time back.

End this silly “affliction”. I blame John Francis Lawson and David leaving me far too soon.

I need to find that self-worth I had found for myself somewhere along the line. As fake as it was. Sadly some of it came from you, Jim.

An “enthusiast” is good…but an over-enthusiast, no matter how else it appears to the contrary is, ultimately, undesired.

Strange Days … Indeed!

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And, well…just in case Sir disnae see it on the SM visitor wall (as it now behaves rather oddly these days and can’t be viewed via the FB app – at least I can’t view it – maybe I have been blocked from it? Dunno!) Anyways, I did post this to the SM FB wall but on the silly notion that Jim comes and peruses this utterly sycophantic, lovesick blog then…

So I open the (digital version) latest edition of Uncut magazine and there’s a piece about Richard Strange in it. Simple Minds even get a namecheck as being a Doctors Of Madness support act back in the day. The short piece discusses Strange’s … memoir? I guess it would be. Also in an audio form on his website it says. But I am sure you are already up on all of this, Sir? If not then, you’re welcome. 👍🏻😊

A Reminder From Sir – Dostoyevsky’s The Idiot – BBC Radio 4 Adaptation

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I posted about this around a month or so ago and linked to the podcast but they were only on a 30 day “listen again” time limit. I downloaded the episodes so they could be available here permanently.

I had the reminder yesterday, by way of His Kerrness (it was that title of his homage to Little Richard what done it, “the darker the night, the brighter the stars”) to get these episodes uploaded to the blog.

So, here we go, Dostoyevsky’s The Idiot, in four parts.

 

 

 

‘Til Wrong Feels Right – Lyrics And More by Iggy Pop

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News on the Virginia Turbett front. There’s a book on Iggy Pop coming out. In his own words, it seems. Not quite a memoir, as such, but more the printing of his lyrics with notes and photos complimenting and elaborating on the thought processes involved in the craft of songwriting.

It sounds really good. And a bit of a left-field choice for a publisher like Penguin Books!

Some of Virginia Turbett’s photos of Iggy feature in the book. And wow, she has taken some AMAZING photos of Iggy over the years. Along with continuing to expand upon my own personal Simple Minds archive of VT’s work, I plan to get some Iggy photos from her as well.

Check out Virginia’s website to view some of her wonderful Iggy stills – https://virginiaturbett.com

You can pre-order the book from the Penguin website, just CLICK HERE to be taken to the site.

16 Years – Gigs In Scotland 1974-1990 – Crowdfunding Publishing Appeal

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A fantastic book filled with photos and stories of gigs featuring many bands that have played in Scotland over the peak period of 1974 to 1990 – including many local bands like Johnny and the Self Abusers and Simple Minds – could be published – with your help!

A crowdfund has been set up to get the funds needed for publishing the book and there is only a few days left for it to reach its target. Below is a clip of Chris explaining more about it.

Please pledge to the crowdfund if you can. It would be so great to get this book published. If you’d like to pledge, please click the LINK HERE – but be quick! Time is running out! The crowdfund needs to reach its target by August 8th.

To Jones Via Lancaster

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An article in Mojo magazine about David Bowie’s brief musical evolutionary period with The Lower Third via interview and book extracts with the band’s drummer, Phil Lancaster.

The book sounds like it could be an interesting read, actually. I still find the story of David endlessly fascinating. I no doubt forever will.

“It’s too late now ’cause you’re out there boy,
You’ve got it made with the rest of the toys.”

The Ronnie Gurr “Simple Minds in Berlin 1980” Book

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One last mention of it. Little did I know when I invested in two copies there was a chance of being a lucky “one in ten” of getting a signed copy of the book. Did I perhaps make my chance one in five, having bought two copies? (I used to be fairly good at maths…it’s really not a strong point now!) It doesn’t sound right. But, either way, luck was on my side, as there were 25 signed copies available, and I got one! A wonderful surprise! 

I had already asked/gestured to Jim on the SMO FB page about carrying one of my copies around with me for him to sign. Well, kind of no need now…but I do like that personal touch (seeing him write my name is lovely…those two signed prints of my artworks will forever remain the most special and prized possessions I will ever have. I hope he knows how much I treasure them. I did try to get him to sign the Bowie Jean Genie print I did for him…but it never happened. Two must be all I am allowed 😦 A shame). Having my name written out by him on it would have been nice…handing him the Sharpie…watching him write it out…perhaps brag a little that he had no need to check the spelling of my name for he knew it all too well already (imfamously!). Perhaps even FINALLY hearing him say it?! It remains my final dream…just to hear him say my name (God…how gone on this man am I?! Lol)

Anyway…it was a wonderful surprise to see these inside the book. Thank you once again, Ronnie Gurr. The book has now become an even MORE cherished treasure than I imagined. 

As of yesterday (Sunday April 16th), copies were still available to buy. Get in quick! Just go to www.hangingaroundbooks.com for details.