So this week I had a birthday ending with an “0” 0h 0h indeed, yes of course it was 20  (crosses fingers behind back) I’m old, how the hell did that happen? I decided a new nickname was called for, but what do you call an old bird? Aha, Jurassic, Jurassic bird, …or miserable, I answer to most things….

For someone that makes Rap/HipHop music (Mama Chill) I felt more dull than dope, more miserable than mangus …mangus? Incredibly awesome in urban talk…..where was I? Oh yes, miserable, but hey I’m still in the early stages of grieving and so a birthday ending with an “0” & no siblings around to jest was only going to magnify everything.

My brother and Sister would’ve had a field day at their little sister knocking on a bit and I’d been looking forward to this years teasing comments, little knowing that neither would be here. For those that forgot to send wishes?  I have it on the same date every year , but it’s good to know that while my bodily parts may be dropping from age my sarcasm certainly isn’t.

In the end I enjoyed breakfast with Mum,  brunch with my Dad & Step mum , then back home for a 45 minute meditation  followed by a nap, bath and Pj’s, only thing missing was Horlicks……..Yuk did someone mention Horlicks?.

However my birthday present to myself was in the shape of two memory Tattoos regarding conversations. For my brother was “Be The Strong One”

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& my sister “Give Us This Day”

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both done by the lovely Martin at Bluebird studios in St albans road. http://www.bluebirdtattoo.co.uk/  All I need now is the Tryke bike of my dreams & I’ll be ready to Rock …watch this space.

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Gizmo/Gadget/Gift of the week  ....A  multi-tasking man?...What? okay so it’s not a real one, but it is a rather cute little blue flexible chap  that acts as a book light, phone stand, pen holder etc  £6.99 From http://www.thepresentfinder.co.uk/buy/flat-man-book-light_1901.htm

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You might also want to purchase his brother the Flat man bedtime bookmark too? Although aimed at small kids, I think these make great little gifts for all ages, how could anyone resist those  feet  sticking out the pages of a good book?  £4.99 http://www.thepresentfinder.co.uk/buy/flat-man-bedtime-story-bookmark_1562.htm

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Staying with the same company, for all you Spoonies out there, come this set of Belgian chocolate spoons £6.99 the idea is to stir them into hot milk producing a tasty hot chocolate http://www.thepresentfinder.co.uk/buy/set-of-10-belgian-milk-chocolate-spoons_1547.htm   

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As we’re nearing Christmas I’m spoiling you with yet another one this week, so for all you Dr Who fans get ready to jaw drop at this two foot inflatable remote control Dalek complete with 8 catchphrases, sound effects, flashing lights and an illuminating eye and if that’s not enough, it comes in at a respectable £31.40 from http://www.handpickedcollection.com/giant-remote-control-darlek.html

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This weeks M.E news sees the incredibly talented writer Barnaby Eaton Jones talk about Life with M.E from its emergence in his teens to present day “That’s where I am. Not recovered but coping as best as I can. I’ve made friends with sufferers who are worse than me and better than I am. It’s been a long, arduous road and I’m still walking it as best I can”  To read Barnabys story just go  to: http://ldifme.org/m-e-myself-and-i-by-barnaby-eaton-jones/#MyE

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I love stumbling across new music that gives you THAT feeling....and stumble I did, across “Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate” from right here in London. It was the track  “ I Remember you” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paeebAmU6EQ that first drew my attention with hints of bowie & pulp wafting through, I wanted to know more . Malcolm Galloway performs as a solo artist or with four colleagues listing their genre as a mix of classic rock, prog rock, acoustic, blues, metal, folk, funk, minimalism, and electronica, it’s certainly hard to pin their sound.  They also state that their songs so far are about invisible disability and artificial intelligence.  Intelligence is something this outfit certainly have, songs crafted with credibility & not written purely to fit the mainstream top 20.  But why invisible disability, & artificial intelligence they’re quite specific subjects?

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“Well, said Martin, I try to raise awareness of invisible disabilities because I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome http://www.ehlers-danlos.org/ which gives me chronic pain, autonomic problems, vomiting, etc. My first album was about my experience with it. In terms of artificial intelligence - I'm a part-time neuropathologist and am interested in the link between brain and mind”

 I haven’t made it through the bands whole catalogue of lyrical genius yet but other tracks such as “Head In a Jar” & “My clockwork heart” had my ears dancing with joy. But You can find out more about them for yourself on their website :  http://www.hatsoffgentlemen.com/

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Better still Martin has invited Watford Observer readers to their New Album Launch, titled  “When The Kill Code Fails” it’s being held in London , Heath Street Baptist Church - December 3rd @ 7:30pm.  You can either go to this Facebook link :  https://www.facebook.com/events/924178307631012/  and click that you want to go and he’ll add you to the guest list or you can contact him directly via the bands website.

Talking of Watford, I headed down to  the Reason Coffee shop   top of the high street  on Monday, I’ve been meaning to check it out for ages and  boy was it a treat, this is no run of the mill café, for starters it has real character, so small warm and friendly you feel you’re in someones  living room, added to the fact it’s floor to ceiling full of books new and second hand that you can purchase, I was in literacy heaven, and I hadn’t even had a sip of my Chai latte at that point. It’s not just a coffee shop and book store it’s a community hub, having regular group meet ups,  just pop along and ask or “Like” them on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/ReasonCoffeeShop/

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Places like this are a real gem and more of what our town needs, not humungous soulless shopping centres, Oh Oh, I better not get ranting  or we’ll be here til next Friday …that’s what happens when you get old & I’m sure you want to head off to push, shove and rugby tackle in the Black Friday scrum? Which according to the television advert ends Sunday…..Eh? on that note…….

                                  See You Next Week, Stay Blessed

                                           Back Before Elvis X

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