Buddy Rich (1917-1987) drummer and bandleader was born in Brooklyn, New York. He could be an abrasive character and was definitely his own man with strong opinions and caustic humour. He played in most of the big bands during their heydays in the 30′s and 40′s. He started with Bunny Berigan and then proceeded to play in the great bands of Harry James, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and then his own before the decliine of the big bands started in 1945.

He grasped me firmly, but gently, just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room. Then he quietly shut the door and we were alone. He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice close to my ear, “just relax.”

Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing, and moving upward along my calves, slowly but steadily. My breath caught in my throat. I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn’t care. His touch was so experienced, so sure. When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes. My pulse was pounding. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage. And then, as he cupped my firm, full breasts in his hands, I inhaled sharply.

This is a follow up to my June post on lifes changing priorities where I received some very interesting comments from my blogging friends.

The Bucket List, a phrase taken from the 2008 film of the same name starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman is a wish list of a person’s ‘things they must do’ before they ‘kick the bucket’ or die. The two stars of the film are terminally ill with lung cancer (although it turns out Nicholson eventually ends up in remission). Without giving away all the plot in this comedy/drama, I recommend you watch it next time it’s on TV.

Whether you have any interest in golf or not, have a look at this newspaper report and I can guarantee it will make you smile. I can just imagine how this guy must have annoyed the pompous officials of the Royal and Ancient.

Every year four friends and myself walk a long distance national trail or a part of one depending on the distance involved. Last year we did the northern half of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, in fact that’s not strictly true I ended up in hospital with AUR (acute urinary retention) so my walking was cancelled. In May this year we started at the village of Broad Haven near Little Haven and walked the 110 miles to Amroth, the end of the coastal path.

I came across this piece the other day and thought it made a good follow up to ‘Fell Off The Kerb….’

Poor old Britain. Question: How do you tell the difference between a British Police Officer, an Australian Police Officer and an American Police Officer? Answer: Pose the following scenario:

You’re a serving officer walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, a dangerous looking man with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, raises the knife, and charges. You are carrying a gun and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do?
BRITISH POLICE OFFICER’S Answer :
Well, that’s not enough information to answer the question!

Here’s a report from an American newspaper that shows how far from reality our approach to justice in the UK has become. The marines in this incident would have been arrested by the police and received a heavy prison sentence. The offender would have received an apology and thousand of pounds in compensation. Oh for the American idea of justice over here.

Les Dawson

Les Dawson (1931-1993) was raised in the Collyhurst district of Manchester and his poor working class background was the foundation for his humour when he later became famous.  He was noted for his deadpan jokes about his wife and mother-in-law. His exaggerated depiction of elderly northern women in the sketches with Roy Barraclough as ‘Cissie and Ada’ were as legendary as his misplaying of the piano.

He had a variety of jobs until he hit the big time as a world weary comedian and was in fact a very talented pianist. In later life he became an author with many books to his credit. A heavy smoker and drinker he died of a heart attack during a hospital check up.