I'm still breathing. You want the truth or an immensely entertaining fiction? The truth is boring and you'll lose interest.
Ello Matt, been so long I thought Trump had sent you to Iran... Not so sure as what to make of "trapped in the back rooms", hope it's resolved. Been modding stuff of just surviving? Good to see you back... Hope health is ok, as I turn 65 next month I'm finding it hard to wipe my "ass", and that isn't a joke.. As always, take care
Yep, things are effed up everywhere, I know you lads are in the thick of it in the UK right now too. The US has the advantage of wide open space, so you can just get away from it all. But I got lost out there for a while. I'm being tongue and cheek cryptic right now on purpose.
As long as you are surviving old man...Really hope stuff picks up for you, no one needs extra hassle in this messed up world.
Ever since my drug dealer passed away I just haven't had the energy for my hobbies. Edit: Maybe I should have changed my signature before I made that joke...
Wondered if we'd ever get a Matt update. So damn glad we did. What is going on? Anyone? Where are we at? Situation yet critical or can we still save the retro world... keep on rocking in the free world. B&B in Italy but still orbiting ATARI OWNER...
and another week flies by I still have all by 8-bit stuff, just not as much time as I used to have for hobbies I'm actively trying to make time again, but it's tough. After I got my audio system restored and upgraded I sort of got addicted to music and collecting albums again, and that's pretty much what I've been doing.
Music to the rescue - such a blissful experience, Matt - you soothe your soul, mate, through your musical journeys and endless enjoyment, from hearing the initial take-up of the stylus on the lead-in surface of vinyl & then all that it triggers as you listen to track upon well-known track upon track...and memories come flooding back. Emotions are made of this. We've just had a 30minute conversation through a whole host of family anecdotes and recollections and it all started from listening to Tom Robinson's Atmospherics and what it all means...if indeed there's anything sat waiting there. I know you're more rock n Rush-orientated, Matt, and why the hell not - we all have our go-to's. What's yours Al, Paul, Rich n guys? Let's hear about your fave artist/album/concert/musical experience. We had a great band playing a free concert here last night on a hillside above Lake Iseo and they covered Toto, Rolling Stones, REM & The Bangles and many others inbetween, eg Wheatus - OK, just a local enthusiastic band playing covers but they gave it their all & we greatly appreciated it and as we listened we took in the views and the warm night air, loving the backdrop of the lake, the lit-up houses on the mountainside and the familiar soundtrack of part of our lives. Magical Mackem holiday...Haway The Lads.
I'm a child of the late 70's early 80's so late Punk and early 80's Synth with a bit of 90's thrown in. Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, Joy Division, OMD, Depeche Mode, New Order, Cocteau Twins, James, Stone Roses, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and more recently Ladytron
Some great likes there, Rich, and weirdly I'm also into Ladytron - love that track/video you posted there. Also a BIG fan of DM and been to see em 3-4 times over the years, my fave time in Paris with me mate Mogs on a bus from Hull on their Devotional Tour -
Hello Matt, nice to see you on these shores again. If you're still breathing and surviving that's just good news for this "lonely planet". In this thread I can only admire all the music preferences of my "soul" mates Vyper68 and Baz.- they have left out only a bunch of bands (UK and US).
Hey everyone, sorry to start posting and then disappear again, I've read your responses, all were wonderful, especially yours Andy. But I have had Big Troubles In Little China recently, American slang for I'm screwed. Though maybe that's another American term...so, I'm Bolloxed? I'm sure that is spelled wrong. But I've had severe problems with my business and lively hood recently, today it all went over a cliff, figuratively. In my problems and distractions I mistakenly allowed my vehicle tags and insurance to lapse. I was pulled over by the police because trailer lights weren't working (a re-occurring fuse issue that I failed to check) and due to the above, my truck and trailer were both towed to impound with a release amount that could be around $1000 plus $500 for insurance, tags and penalty late fees, and then I'm still not there yet as all my mowers broke down one after another in short order and I was still in the middle of rebuilding one, 3 days late on my lawns (though that includes rain days). So basically, I'm out of business, with no money and no time, the grass still grows and my customers have to find replacement services quickly. I already informed them all. So I'm now unemployed and my other two vehicles each need work to get them running again as well as tags and insurance. But getting one of them fixed and legal to start looking for employment is far more likely at this point than recovering my business and making it stable. It may even be a good thing, as I've grown tired of barely scraping by my business due to the terrible Biden economy and high gas prices, which started looking better until the Iran conflict, and it may get better yet, soon, but it's too late for me to recover without a miracle (which looks in the neighborhood of a couple thousand cash)
Sorry you're going through the wringer mate, I wish there was something I could do to help. I don't know how much of a support network you have around with friends and family hopefully there is someone who can help a bit. I know you have probably thought about offloading some unused kit also, I don't know how business loans work over there and to be honest it sounds like your heart wasn't in it at the end. I don't know where you stand on DJT and I'll keep that out of it. That being said I think the on/off Iran situation and the Strait of Hormuz being closed/opened/closed/open has been a disaster and sent petrol and diesel prices crazy. For context Diesel was £1.89 per Litre a couple of weeks ago so roughly $7.15 per US Gallon. I saw some reports that it had increased the same in the US. A business that involves so much travel and petrol-powered equipment would struggle without falling foul of the Rozzers and getting Impounded. Hopefully you can get a vehicle on the road and find a job soon. I just wish there was more I could do. Richie.
