A time of change (again)

Well it has been a real change all this for all of us.  All my events cancelled or put on hold.  The government saying it will be 18 months before 70+s will be allowed out. Some terrible things.  Many millions of people dying or made very ill.  All the things we thought of as permanent now shown to be completely ephemeral.

And some wonderful things.  Sublimely quiet streets and foxes and deer coming back into our everyday lives.  Birdsong every morning uninterrupted by human interventions.  A clear sky.  The ozone layer returning.

We are having to rethink our lives and for the better.  It will never be the same, hopefully.  And we must be hopeful. 

And as for Mr A.  Well he’s not going to be the same again.  Grown a beard.  The first of my life apart from a very sorry attempt years ago.  Actually I had to this time.  I was being ID’d in the queue at Sainsbury’s old people hour.  At least I look my age now even if I don’t behave it. As you will see if you manage to read this before 15:00 today Sunday 19^th April as I’m doing a special guest appearance on my friend Greg Chapman’s Facebook Show.  Here’s the link -  https://www.facebook.com/events/221643285849511/  but if the day is past then Greg’s own Facebook website should contain a copy of the show here:  https://www.facebook.com/GregandFelicityAdventures/

I do hope you can watch it.  I enjoyed filming it and am planning to do some more.  Maybe I will yet become a star of the silver screen, as I’d always dreamed.  I have put the stage up in the workshop and it has become a small scale TV studio.  I have learned a great deal about video and sound in the process, much thanks to my ingenieur and friend Ralph in Wallingford (how I will miss BunkFest).

And how I will miss being on the road, especially if the 70+ edict becomes law.  Those boffins better hurry with the anti-vac. It is amazing to think that my first booked gig would have been next weekend.  So the season would not have even started yet.  Martin Orbidans, my brilliant accompanist, would still be in Cairo, which is where he is staying, hunkering down in the heart of the Souk.  Rather him than me, brave soul.  He sends his very best to all of you who have come to know and love him as I have.

So let us end optimistically and hopefully, as we began.  Let’s enjoy and embrace this change.  Let’s enjoy the peace and the moments of great joy we can find in these days.  We will remember them as being moments of epiphany.  Let’s remember those who have given and go on giving to make this world a place suitable for civilisation and humanity.

I have learned so much and go on learning.  I’m rehearsing every day and doing yoga.  Cooking wonderful concoctions in the lorry and I have everything I need.  Later today I’m having a Zoom meet up with my family.  Up until recently I didn’t even know what that was, now I’m so looking forward to embracing the brave new world.  It’s a beautiful one.

This morning I listened to a podcast recording (Rumble Strip if you’re into podcasts) and a recording of a balcony performance of ‘What a wonderful world’ from somewhere in America.  It said it all and will bring tears to your eyes as it did to mine.

All the best from a road near you,

Mr Alexander