Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Bulgaria Downsides...brief continuation...

Its a few months since I wrote about the upsides and downsides of living in Bulgaria, and after a few recent frustrations, here is a brief update:

- I do get REALLY upset about those bumpy roads...they seem to get worse in the winter!?

- I got such a bad taxi driver the other day, he really ruined my day...insisting that I put my luggage in the boot not on the back seat, not getting out to help me, not speaking but just nodding his head to ask where i wanted to go...it was the last place on earth i wanted to be at the end of a long day, even for just 7 minutes travelling across Sofia...the back seat of some really miserable Sofia taxi drivers' cab...and paying for it!!!

- I decided I'm totally fed up (I'll try to keep the swearing out of the blog) with people ignoring me as they natter away in Bulgarian, when I am in their company...I know it isn't deliberate, but it feels so rude, because I'm not some rag doll who sits their 'limp' while everyone else chats...it just gets to me a bit! Its sort of 'character altering'...cos I love chatting!...its partly cos I'm frustrated about my hopeless progress with learning Bulgarian - despite two lessons per week...for 2 1/2 years!!! Possibly I'm an old dog trying to learn new tricks...I understand it's not possible to teach them to one!?

- Possibly my overall emphasis on the 'downsides' are a reflection of the economic climate...I have to join the crowd of 'general miserable-ness' because everyone is doing it now...despite the fact that I am generally an upbeat, positive, 'glass is half' full kind of a guy! I know that being like that (i.e. 'positive') can be an extremely irritating way to be when everyone is trying to 'feel and be so down...!' But I don't know, maybe going into the 'clown business' could be a good move at the moment...?, everyone needs a bit of cheering up every now and then, I reckon!

I'm sure I can think of more to say on this subject on another day...so watch this space...

Monday, February 16, 2009

My new camera...


...isn't she beautiful...she does all sorts of clever things...I love her!

Great Female Singer-Songwriters No. 5 - Debbie Harry / Blondie


Of course...timeless...


Atomic:



Picture This:



Sunday Girl:



Dreaming:



Rapture:






Great Female Singer-Songwriters No. 4 - Eliza Carthy


Great Singer-Songwriters No. 3 - Amy Macdonald


The most extraordinary 19 year old (when this debut album was released!)...just great...


'Mr Rock and Roll':



'Run' (such a good song!!!):



'Footballers Wife':



And this - wow! (all from the same album)...'The Road to Home':






Great Female Singer-Songwriters No. 2 - Kate Rusby


...oh Kate, Kate...we love you Kate...


Just so many good albums...its untrue!


Withered and Died:



Underneath the Stars (with Hubble space telescope pictures!?):



No Names (what a song!!!):




Great Female Singer-Songwriters No. 1 - Christine McVie


Oh Christine...I am such a fan...


Two of her classics:

- Songbird:

'...for you...they'll be no more crying...for yooouuu the sun will be shining...and I feel that when I'm with you...it's alright..., I know it's riggghhtt...'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGPibULaCX8&feature=related

- Wish You Were Here:

' ...I wish you were here...holding me tight...if I had you near...you'd make it alright...I wish you were heeerrreee...cos I feel like a child...tonight...'

One of the greats in my opinion...

Friday, February 6, 2009