It's Monday before New Year so it's usual on this blog to write some kind of a review although it may well start at the end because that sets where it's going.
The year ended with me dealing with a few missteps along the way notably having two versions of the same blog which apart from duplication, extra work when what was posted here wouldn't of worked for its intended audience elsewhere, I also found that it pulled in few people to begin to even justify it.
Part of that also came about because the Age Regression wars on Tumblr if not quite coming to a complete end saw one major group change after a lot of internal politics to having an acceptance of the group I had been aligned with since July 2016 when Age Play vs Age Regression battles split those of us more into regression off and then we had a purist schism whose discourse was worse than most school playgrounds.
Finally most it is over cos we've got over that, deciding really respecting an individuals feelings and limits was the more important thing which meant that I could allow that last group, The Kidhearts to follow my tumblr and as sometimes what may be on here might not work with all, seeing few were following the other version of the blog, there was no need to link this to it at all.
Effectively I allowed that alternative blog to pause indefinitely until such time as it may be repurposed.
The blog has talked about different forms of presentation as sometimes people when regressing go to what they grow up with and so in effect recreate that past down to outfits and uniforms while others may take their inspiration from those actual girls (and boys) of today with a wider range of types of attire.
While I like pinafore dresses, I do fall more down that more modern take on things.
I went to places, exploring more of what was around us, enjoying the countryside getting up to places I'd never managed before with support, enjoying it and spend a lot at time at home being out of doors.
This coming year we may well be doing some more exploring as camp moves to a new venue in the Winter that has many opportunities.
I did buy quite a number of new albums on either cd's or records by artists I liked not least a good number of Super audio cd's that sound even better through my dedicated player, reviewing them too although music with my often has either a resetting or a regressive context, taking me back into that time and space again.
I see things as being more on a continuation of what has always interested me as we move into 2020 but with a greater emphasis on being out and making memories free from the groan up turbulence last year with the state of the Country politically.
Christmas but once a year so getting out of bed not really being asleep for much of the night I am up having smelt the grump's turkey cooking overnight and am opening the presents while my brother is present as he came at 9 o'clock! which also was a bit later than planned.
Like how do get something for breakfast and be sociable?
There is only on batch of main presents this year thanks to a three year delay which comprises of the first four Dire Straits albums remastered and issued on Super Audio cd.
They were not cheap and will be reviewed at some future point but the sheer expense cut into my Christmas allowance my folks allow but as the reviews at other sites were so positive trading my original cds from the 80's for these seemed to make sense.
Back to the future with annuals connected to christmas of the past with the boys, girls and pets that we laughed our heads off reading the Beano and Dandy Comics.
Being straight reprints they take you back to the past you knew which is why as with last year there's no current Beano annual simply because while some of the favourites of the past are still there, the contexts are different and the newer series of cartoon strips don't connect that much with me.
I do have a copy of the Dandy Annual though with new stories about the old favourites like Beryl The Peril and The Numbskills.
I did pick up the Christmas Beano Special which is the christmas themed regular edition which covers the comic as it now is which is enough to enjoy the way the comic has moved.
Let's put it this way, last weeks regular comic for Christmas week was a plastic festooned edition with bits for pranks while in the past the stories would be enough to get you reading what might be happening to Walter and his Softies chums from Dennis and Gnasher and so on.
I got a zip up Maroon sweater from Mom which wasn't expected to be honest as it's been a few years since she'd bought one.
I had some money from relatives that I can use towards some books or Blu ray discs in the future.
Hope everyone's enjoying Christmas and don't give the dog a bone.
Regards Jo.
Well, the final touches have been made with an unexpected item brought and a couple of people visiting with cards and presents apart from any that came via the Royal Mail.
Yesterday afternoon we finally finished A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in Jennie's Storytime stream which was fun to read cos it's all about this time of year and what you might say is the 'right' way to live plus I did remake a tape which will come in handy later on.
I also watched the Dave Allen special on BBC2 and the Songs of Praise Christmas special which had lots and lots of carols being sang by both adults and children.
Carol singing was is even something I just adore and sing along too.
There will be a Christmas special on Xmas day published although posting links might be hap-hazard as it'll be busy here.
*HAPPY CHRISTMAS FOLKS*
Almost there now.
After a bit of break, not having been too good I've been getting on with writing Christmas cards here and sorting out presents although arrangements are bit less straightforward than usual this year.
Pretty much last purchases before Christmas were a couple of special editions of favourite albums of mine.
1974's On The Border was the first album by the Eagles to had been issued in Quadraphonic surround sound on both Q8 tape and CD-4 discrete quad lp which contained the songs James Dean and Already Gone.
The album showed a move toward hard rock rather the the country rock of the first two albums and was remixed for Quad which even if you don't own a suitable cartridge and CD-4 demodulator to extract the four channel sound.
I also picked up shorty afterward the CD-4 version of the follow up, 1975's One of These Nights which apart from the title track includes the songs Lyin' Eyes and Take It to The Limit.
1976's Hotel California was mixed for Quadraphonic but by this point it had been decided to ditch the format.
1973's The Captain and Me by the Doobie Bros is a longstanding favourite of mine from borrowed tapes to the MSFL super audio cd I currently have, meandering seamlessly through R&B, country and hard rock.
This was mixed and issued on Q8 and CD-4 discrete quad also in 1974 so it has different mixes that emphasize more of the left and right channels, being mixed more for effect.
Both discs were used to demonstrate the CD-4 system and featured in a magazine article I read as young child in Popular HiFi to explain what it was like and probably persuade folks to buy new systems although you could convert your existing one with the CD-4 Demodulator, a second amplifier and matching speakers.
Playing these versions has been fun this week.
In what will be the second post before Christmas Week, apart from nom'ing the advent calendar day by day counting down to the Twenty-fifth my mind has been looking back a little around what this time of year used to be like.
One thing I did include was apart from the usual Saturday shopping stuff like fresh fruit and veg from the market stores as we bought food loose together with visiting the butcher and fishmonger, we tended to get things specifically for Christmas in.
Travelling with things featuring decoration on the back seat next to you as for much of that era, we didn't "clunk, click, every trip" and use seatbelts was common place as was having a Christmas tree situated between you and a sibling.
If we were good we might be taken to select the toys we wanted for Christmas having seen the catalogues at the local toy shop and department stores like Woolworth's with that years specials.
Another thing is what happened yesterday when I saw Santa Claus going around thanks to the local Round Table, collecting for the needy and also you saw him in stores which kind of made me wonder how come he gets everywhere?
Usually they inquire as to how you been - did any of us say we've been bad? - what you were looking forward to before you got a present.
You also may get cards for the school christmas post which you'd write up.
After last weeks post we'll start the countdown toward Christmas as I work the blogging schedule as I'm usually pretty busy but i think it should be two full posts and something on or around Christmas Day.
At the start of last week, our Christmas tree came which in this age of elf and safety had to planted and wired by people with certificates not sophisticats lest somebody either climb up it or try stealing the bulbs whilst turned on.
The Parish Council pays for the tree which is as well as we do want something like this at Christmas and keeps the lights that have to put on it.
I think every town and estate should have one.
On Friday the good folk here had a Carol Service under the tree enjoying themselves and going to a chapel for refreshments afterwards
Normally people such as the Round Table have a mobile santa visiting waving at everyone as we wave back with the Scouts providing the trailer - yes I love this bit of Christmas - while blasting out christmas tunes and collecting for the needy.
Meanwhile as we're into Advent, the Advent calendar is up and most nom'able, a day at a time as we count down Xmas having consumed the Rabbit yesterday!
