The Pit and Pendulum

Forgot I had this. Last post in August 2019. Fuck me.

The world got the fucking Covid-19 after that. Sumthin' like November'19 onwards. From China, they say. Lotsa people dead. Not Black Death or what have you. Not yet.

The headline from Biff Byford's 2019 solo album. Yes yes, originally from the fucking Poe, but listening to Biff now so fuck off.

Curse of the redtide

50185 songs (or 'files') - and counting - now. Been listening to the 'L'-bands. For instance lots of Laibach and Led Zeppelin. The last that caught my attention is Legend of the Seagullmen. Apparently some kind of super-group featuring people from Tool and Mastodon, and some others. I'm not such a fan of project bands, but this sure sounds great, lots fucking better than their original groups.

Gods on fire

I noticed I have 50,000 songs (156,2 days) copied on my hard drive now. What my method is that when I purchase or loan new music (if I ever download a song from the internet these days, I merely pick up a song from YouTube, usually a live track that took to my liking) I immediately download it to my computer. And, here's my thing, the songs that are either under 3:30 minutes or over 7 minutes in lenght I listen to immediately. If I don't like the song, I delete it immediataly and if I do like it, I save it and mark it 5 five stars (*****) on my player and I have my 'best of' file on Word where I simply write it down. There are now 22,743 songs on my 'best of' file.

On top of that, if some song is thunderously great, I copy the song to my MP3 player that I use when I'm outside of my home. And those songs I also mark 5 stars and in addition I paint them red in my Word file. There are now 530 'red' songs.

I get back to the songs (between 3:30 and 7:00 minutes) whenever I feel like. And I usually go through that collection alphabetically (by the band name). And the method is the same, I delete the songs I don't like and mark 'em five that I do like and write the name of the song and the performer on my best of file.

It's usually my morning habit going through my music, especially on weekends and, like now, on holidays. It's a must thing in the evenings when I'm drinking red wine.

And it's fucking great.

Mind you, I still purchase new music (CD's and vinyls, even cassettes) and I have a reasonable collection and I still listen to those with the stereo equipment. But I also have transformed most of my own collection to the computer as well. And it's pretty comfortable sitting on my table, with the headphones on, listening to stuff from the computer collection while browsing through the internet, drinking coffee or wine, and petting the cat that's sleeping on the table.

On this particular holiday, every day I spend at least 2 to 4 hours listening to music meticuosly. Right now I'm going through the bands starting with the letter 'K'. I listen to at least one song from one album. If there's a band with just one album under their belt, I pay a little more attention to them and listen a little more than one song. What inspired me to write this update on the blog down is that I came across a song from the Finnish band Kuusumun Profeetta called "Jumalat liekeissä" from the 2004 album "Sanasaattaja Oraakkeli Salamurha Hyökkäysvaunu". Not a band I'd normally listen to, but this song hit me, I starred it 5 (it's also worth the 'red', 531st), wrote on my Word:

Kuusumun Profeetta
                   Jumalat liekeissä  Sanansaattaja Oraakkeli Salamurha Hyökkäysvaunu (2004)

And it's not only the one listening experience. I spent time with every band otherwise as well. I check out the history, where the band or artist is now. If the band is really interesting, I check out some YouTube videos, how the band performs live. And I also check out do I possess the entire catalogue from the band's or artist's discography. If I don't, I try to find ways to obtain it. Naturally, if the music is shit, I hardly pay any attention to it, I just delete the song and move on to the next one.

During this holiday - apart from the new music I've bought or loaned from the library - I have listened to some incredible - Khold, King Diamond, Kreator, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - and slightly interesting - Killing Joke, Krokus, Kauko Röyhkä, Korpiklaani, Kris Kristofferson, Katatonia, Keith Richards, Kilpi, Kiss, Kumikameli, Kataklysm, Krisiun - and not too interesting - Kaiser Chiefs, Kamcatka, Karma to Burn, Kasabian - music. Scratches the surface really, there are dozens and dozens more bands, but can't bother to mention.

Anyways, this method suits me fine. Don't mind listening to music from different genres at the same session. After Kuusumun Profeetta, it's the bands Kvalvaag, Kvelertak, K-X-P, Kylesa, Kypck, among others. And next up is 'L' with Laibach quite soon. Can't wait. As I've been doing this for years and years, some of the songs are 'marked' already, I don't listen to them (not the time and place), I listen to the 'unmarked' ones, the new stuff, that can easily be decades old still.

Record store day

Had a discussions with few people who suspect records stores cease to exist in 10 years time. Maybe it takes only 5 years. So how about it? 2024? 2029?

Happy death day

It's been, I truly do not know exactly, something like 7 or 8 years since I've been sick. I haven't caught up an influenza, fever, gastric flu or any other disease for as long as I can remember. Hell, can't remember have I had a simple head ache. Somehow I have escaped those things. I shouldn't have, I drink a lot (for instance purchased 251 bottles of red wine last year alone, yes, I counted, and drank them all) and I eat whatever I get my hands into (lots of takeaway). I do exercise 5:2 diet and try to play football as much as humanly possible (because of my age it gets ever so more difficult), so maybe that's that.

That's all in the past now. Last thursday I got a sore throat, then little fever and now today for the first time since ages I'm on a sick leave from work. From illness I mean, the sick leaves before where from breaking my wrist and my foot (different occasions) while doing sport. I would have wanted to go to work, I just barely break the fever mark, I have nearly lost my voice and the phlegm I spew is covered in blood, but otherwise I feel fine. But they persuaded me to stay out this day. It's Easter holidays coming, so it's - most likely - this day only.

Riding this blackened life (Cathedral - Nocturnal Fist)

Oh shit. I have not been here for a while.

Not that I really care.

Came here accidentally. The bookmark caught my eye.

I'm listening to Brian Jonestown Massacre and it's either very good or not very good. Summer holidays, more than week left. Been drinking French red wine exclusively.

This year I organized my red wine drinking. On January I only drank Argentinian wine. On February Australian. March Chile. Next up Spain. South Africa, Italy, Portugal and now France. Next month, September, it's U.S. From October to December, I'll be drinking the remaining countries.

Been great. Learned nothing at all.

We are brothers of the north (Amon Amarth - Guardians Of Asgaard)

Christmas day.

Woke up to a thundering storm. It was alright, not a terrible hangover. Coffee to get the day going. Some music.

Thought of watching a Buster Keaton movie marathon (5 films) on the telly, but only managed to see the first one, a short movie 'Cops' (1922) because it was becoming a beautiful day and I wanted to test out how my hurt knee is doing. So I went for a run. Ran something like 5 kilometres and did some muscle exercises. It was kind of fun. Clouds begun to accumulate, another storm on the way, so I went back home.

I am a drunken sot (Richard Thompson - Auldie Riggs)

It's Christmas Eve. I'm not overly christmassy, definitely not religious. Glad of the few holidays. I was a bit hangover in the morning (bits whisky & wine yesterday), but managed to do some early shopping (coffee beans, beer, apple juice, toothpicks, cat food) before the stores closed.

My ex visited and she gave me a present (a cooking pan + spatula). I gave her some items.

I opened my other presents which included a belt, a shirt and aftershave.

That sort of x-mas. I also watched a movie of Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar and started another movie, a horror thing of werewolves, can't remember the title.

Took a sauna.

Some beer and wine. Music. 

Can't wait for Saturday and tons of football games on the telly. At Sunday I go to work.

So high above, it all looks the same (Immolation - What They Bring)

I'm contemplating have I something to say. Haven't been here for some time that's fucking sure. Lots have happened, or I don't know. I'm going through a dental work-out. So, that's different. Still working, that's pretty alright. And despite little damage on my right knee, I'm still playing football. Listening to music. Drinking wine, beer, pisco and whisky. Been drinking wine each day really, even on my diet/fasting days (thrice a week!). But the alcohol consumption ain't a problem. I'm sure some fucker would say that it's what we always say, but that's how it goes, go slurp your fucking tea. I do it moderately and I do it heavily, but no harm done anywhere.

The gallows' swingin' to a dead man's song (Crobot - Nowhere To Hide)

Midsummer holidays. I didn't go to the countryside, didn't drink myself senseless, didn't take a boat and take a piss, fall down into the water, drown and die. Like them most of the others this time of the year do.

No, I stayed in the city. Altogether, I guess I drank only two bottles of red wine. At Friday I had some whisky and pisco as well. During the three holidays I ran quite a lot (app. 15 kilometres), ate well (new potatoes + chicken + salad), went to see my ex, watched some movies (Red Obsession, Turist, One Chance),  played Wolfenstein The New Order which is a nazi killing game.

Of course I listened to some music as well and watched Copa Americana. Played football as well. Took it very easily and liked it to death. Particularly liked running at Saturday morning when it was raining like hell. I've always wondered why people can't stand the rain and let it bother their activities.

Betrayed by those you called your own (Infernal Majesty - Overlord)

Champions League Final 2015 evening. Juventus against FC Barcelona. To me, probably the most anticipated day of all year. It's the whole day, expecting the finale. All the minutes and hours before the kick-off are the coolest. Funny thing, the expectation of all that and especially when the players are on the tunnel, the moments before the actual game are the greatest. When the game starts, after all, it's just a football game.

Haven't decided - it's still early - what I'm going to do before the evening. I have wine ready (it's Italian), probably purchase more. I might go take a running exercise before the rain starts. Eat some. Music. Coffee. Whatever.

Update. After breakfast, went running. Did my usual route seven times which equals to over 10 kilometres. Went to a liquer store on the way home and bought couple of bottles of red wine. 9 hours until the kick-off.

Update # 2. Three hours. It's been a long wait. I've done my utmost to not open any bottles of red wine (or other alcohol) just yet. I want to remember something. So, I have taken a nap, played Fifa 2015 on PS3, watched a movie (Third Person), listened to music, played online casino and sudoku. It's F1 qualifying soon. So, the Champions League Final is just around the corner.

It's just too sad that there are lots of shit happening in the city too. I'd like to go to at least three different events, but the truth is that I'd pass my own funeral over Champions League Final. 

Smashing through the boundaries (Metallica - Battery)

I got new Merrell shoes yesterday. I tried them out this morning and went running. I ran only two times my usual route (equals to three kilometres). The shoes were alright, but just minutes before I had had a rather heavy breakfast (w/ coffee, karelian pie, bread and banana), so it just didn't feel right and I opted going home.

But anyways, already before 9 o'clock in the morning, I had had more exercise than I have on a normal work day.

Spit on the laws I made for you (Paradise Lost - Poison)

Having slight difficulties with a fasting day (3rd of the week). Not that I am hungry, but I'd kill for a drop of red wine. Fuck.

Been doing 4:3 fast for a few months now. And it's easy. All in all (in two years time whatnot) I've lost over 10 kilograms of weight, my blood pressure is better and I'm feeling fucking good. The weight loss and the slightly better results as far as blood pressure and cholesterol are considered, it's just bonus - I mean, I feel tremendously good. I can feel it.

And I like it, the whole 5:2/4:3 thing. I enjoy being hungry. It energizes me. I like the idea of eating what the fuck I want the next day. Not getting the drink the moment I need is the downside, but in the end, the whole diet thing watches my drinking as well.

Pray the day ain't poison (Townes Van Zandt - Lungs)

Sounds like yesterday's news, but it's a Sunday morning, I'm having a fasting day, I'm listening to music, drinking coffee & water, trying to annihilate a looming hangover.

I didn't drink that much yesterday. Only a bottle of wine. Some Spanish shit that was recommended to hell and back, but it was crap. I drank it anyway because the fucking thing cost 16 euros.

And that's good because I have a football practise today. And I have had football practises before when I haven't felt particularly good.

Lots of football on the telly today as well. Finnish League and Premier League. It's all said and done now where the latter is concerned, few interesting games coming up on the bottom of the table though.

Some World Cup Ice Hockey on TV too. I don't know do I bother though.

According to the music I have listened to today, I have to say I hate grunge. I fucking hate it to my guts. And I hate pop punk, weird punk and soft fucking hardcore. Fucking hate that shit. Alternative fucking music is scum of the fucking earth.

My brain sometimes intends to walk away (Entombed - Insanity's Contagious)

It's April already. I contemplate of changing the font.

Fasting day. Drinking coffee and water, killing the last remaining bits of red wine I drank yesterday. Pretty good the new wine I found, Spanish Durius. Cheap but amazingly brilliant little red. 

Been listening to music an hour or so this morning. Haven't caught anything interesting.

Ain't this interesting?

I am the dark matter (Mustasch - Damn It's Dark)

A good way to completely drain your energy is having a fasting day (max 600 calories) and going running in the morning.

Which I did. I ran my usual route 5 times (app. 7 km) and I was utterly exhausted.

Drinking half a bottle of wine before going to sleep last night didn't help.

After getting my shit together, I went to a flea market and purchased a few CDs, cookies and something for the cats as well.

At home, I watched football. 

I'm on the lawn with someone else's wife (Tom Waits - Jockey Full Of Bourbon)

I reckon, I have nothing to say.

I'm here just to say 'hi' I guess.

When nothing happened (Monty Python - Ralph Mellish)

February.

Sunday.

Off to work. It snows and it rains. Hopefully I still have a football practise after the Sunday shift.

Listening to music before marching in. Guatemalan coffee. A banana.

Nothing too exciting.

Wishing my whole life away (Uriah Heep - Easy Livin')

Hey, I'm going to drink myself senseless today.

And there's not much you can do about it.

Starting with Chilean Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012.

I'm also listening to music (now, that's a surprise) and once again realize how much I fucking love it. But also, I fucking hate music too. And loving to hate it. I'm disgusted of bad music. I don't understand people who listen to crappy music. Sometimes I think they are sick to their heads. And I'm probably right about it too. All that shit about everyone having their own opinion and taste of things - that's so fucking untrue that it makes me fucking sick.

You assumed were accidents, best forgotten (Nick Cave - The Curse Of Millhaven)

Today, after work, I became very happy. On my way home I went to a shop next door where I live to buy a loaf of bread and cottage cheese and at the cash register ahead of me was an old lady (age 80 - 90) buying some bread also. She poured all the coins she had from her purse on her hand and told the shop assistant to count the money that is needed because she cannot do it herself with her bad fingers. The coins were counted, turned out the lady had too little and the shop assistant told her it's 30 cents too short. Apparently the lady had no credits cards, so she became helpless as what to do. In fact, she looked terrified. With the little money she had, she only wanted some bread.

And there, like a knight in shining fucking armor, is me handing out the 30 cents. Seeing and understanding what I did, the old lady was breathless a moment or two, then grasps my shoulder, almost cries and thanks me heartily.

That made my day.

Hopefully that made her day as well.

Maybe it was a well-planned devious plan to nick my 30 cents to begin with, who knows. Maybe she'd be tailing me whole month and executed the plan the exact right moment.

Later in the evening, I finished watching the first season of True Detective. All in all, it took  me two days.