Guitars and Life

Last week has been variable ... sounds like I'm giving the shipping forecast here doesn't it! Monday.  I attended the funeral of an AA friend.  A lovely, bubbly, funny, fun person sadly cut down too early in life through cancer.  The chapel was packed, with a large number of AA friends there showing just how much she was loved and how much she meant to so many of us.  The service was a non religious one, which was very nice.  At one point the lady leading it mentioned a prayer that meant a lot to Lynn and started to recite the Serenity Prayer - the adopted prayer of AA.  Without prompting the AA members present all joined in.  I had to stop before the end as I was so choked up. I don't drink.  I go to AA meetings and am involved in AA service to hopefully spread the word to those suffering alcoholism and to keep me sober.  It has just become a way of life.  Every now and then I'm really really shown how lucky and important this all is...

Here goes for any footy fans - a little brain teaser. Name the 3 teams that have played in all four divisions (Prem, Championship, League One and League Two, as now named) this century... i.e. since 2000. I surpassed myself and got all three in less than 10 mins.

No doubt all of you were riveted to your armchairs Sunday afternoon to watch the biggest match of the FA Cup 3rd round… No? Well Gillingham lost 2-1 to Villa but put on an excellent display – already one Villa fan who is a friend has apologised for the penalty that cost us the game. However it probably wasn’t too an unfair result but the replay at Villa would have been just reward. Still we need to translate more of that quality into wins in the league but I think sometimes we’re a bit too clever for our own good in a largely physical division.

Hardly Oklahoma I know. Whilst the temperature is distinctly demanding a woolly hat it was beautifully sunny and clear today on the drive to work - so clear in fact I could see to France on the drive down the hill. Also believe it or not - Gillingham are still in the FA Cup. Yes I know! And cap that it was an away win, a massive rarity in itself, but also an away win in a replay. Against Stockport who are in League One. What is going on? We've now got Villa at home in January. Holy Cow! STOP PRESS - the Villa game is going to be on ITV. The Gills full 90 mins on top telly against premiership opposition. I think I've just enter an alternative reality.