Be careful what you wish for revised version.

Indeed. Today I have been aching a bit. That  happens as time passes.  Played a gig a venerable old school south London boozer last night. That was OK though not the most mind blowing gig ever, but folks seem to be enjoying it.  I am  always fascinated watching the punters as I am a late comer to pub culture, never really  having had a local.  The loud voices and animated discussions and that the fact that private conversations become public performances like theatre.  The band watching the punters watching the band.I now realise how insular my upbringing was, with the benefit of hindsight.Railway Hotel Southend on sea My father did not drink and rather frowned on the notion of that sort of thing. I did drink a bit as a teanager but later on not at all for years.   Many  years later when I got a bit low I developed a taste for Carlsberg special. This was a reasonable substitute for antidepressants which later became a part of my life for ten years.   Its a killer when your a bit reserved, and shy.  I still am all those years later. You have to play the hand your dealt eventually I suppose, andI there’s not much that’s going to change now.  Except perhaps that you stop beating yourself up about it.

a boozer

I like real ale these days, but I am a moderate drinker. I am not seeking perfection anymore though 😉
One thing that cheers me quite a bit is the reappearance of pianos in some pubs now, which is wonderful.  Let’s have more of that sort of thing please.

The Retreat Reading