Long time no contribute eh? I still find this odd but here goes, what’s been going down in floppsland.
So far I have had four acupuncture sessions to try and cure my dry mouth and so far nothing to report at all. This is not due to cynicism on my part, I sincerely believe this thing could work and I’m optimistic. Nope, it’s simply nothing has happened. There’s five in my group and they’re the same – nowt.
However the fine Irish lady administering the acupuncture says the most usual time for anything to occur is five or six sessions out of the eight we are to receive. Fingers crossed.
Today she also started talking of more spiritual things and some way to explaining what acupuncture was about and although I enjoyed hearing her talk I was already mostly aware of these things.
It took me a long time in this life to work out that what happens in one’s brain box ultimately affects one’s physical well being. And of course stress above a certain level can be a killer.
Of course, all those emotions which induce stress – anger, fear, anxiety, even joy to a certain degree apparently, can be a positive force. Anger, for instance, can be an energy if not taken to extremes.
But I digress, I’m sounding like an old hippy. Hang on, I am an old hippy, lol
Two or three weeks ago on a Saturday I drove to Bedford to buy a pair of loudspeaker cabinets. 45 minutes to get to junction 10 on the M1, another 45 minutes to queue in the traffic jams caused by roadworks to reach my turnoff, junction 13. Hmmph.
I thought London traffic was bad but Bedford takes delays to a whole new level.
Whilst waiting at a red light in central Bedford some wonderful fellow drove straight into the back of my vehicle with some considerable force. This didn’t dmage the rear of my vehicle much but did give my neck some minor whiplash. Ouch.
I also had the immense satisfaction of seeing my towbar hook pierce his radiator and watching his brown steaming radiator water flowing down the street.
However such was the force of the impact that it pushed me forward into the rear of the vehicle in front. This caused enough damage to my vehicle to write it off.
I did get home ok but was dead worried the bonnet might fly up because of the damage so stuck to 50mph down the MI/North Circular/Blackwall Tunnel. The car resembled a stock car racer but I used it for the next six days anyway.
Then on the Friday following the accident 50 metres from home the car engine died. Felt like no compression. Whether this was related to the accident or not I have not a clue. So that was that, I haven’t had wheels since that time. And would you believe I suddenly have more work come in than I can handle. Such is life.
So, first day of big job a friend works with me, we use his motor and I leave all my tools and equipment on site. And today I used public transport to get there. Greenwich to Fulham, train, tube, twenty minute walk from Parsons Green tube station. Took me an hour altogether, not so bad.
Must confess though, what with all that walking, working, home again, up to London Bridge & back for acupuncture at my age I’m knackered right now.
Full weeks’ work next week cos it’s school’s half term so I’m going to hire a motor for the week, will cost about £130.00.
When all the money comes in for works I’ve carried out I’ll be able to buy another second hand motor. There goes the i7 upgrade then, lol I won’t get much from the insurance company for my car as it was 11 years old but at least the idiot who drove into me, his insurance company have admitted liability.
By the way, when he first drove into me I got out the car, nursing my aching neck, and surveyed damage to the rear. The driver of the car that drove into me said ‘I drove into you’.
There was a moment’s pause on my part as I took this in and managed to close my jaw again after it had fallen open. I replied ‘I can see that you f*****g idiot’ cos I was a bit mad and seriously for one second wouldn’t have minded a ruck. Silly but true.
What possesses some people to utter the obvious and ridiculous? Shock perhaps?
So why did I go to Bedford?
I’m a member of an audio forum and they’re all valve amp nuts and home made speaker fans. Seems the big thing is to make fancy speaker cabs then use relatively cheap full range drivers in them, typically 4” loudspeakers.
Now don’t laugh, I’ve heard a pair of these about seven foot high made by Dave The Bass with just a pair of these 4” drivers and they sound superb. Driven by a 2 watt valve amp would you believe? And a turntable that uses a pencil for a tone arm. I know, I know, crazy.
The pair of cabs I bought were home-made and less than a metre high but they are floor standing, here’s a pic:
And here’s the drivers I’m going to use in them:
Fostex F126E
And not being such a nerd/perfectionist I’ll probably use a pair of these tweeters with them as well:
Fostex 207D
The cabinets are made of mdf and were covered in some horrible brown wood stain grunge. I’ve sanded one down have yet to do the other and I’m going to paint them satin black.
I paid £35.00 for the cabinets, btw, which is considerably less than commercially made products.
I’m looking forward to trying these out but it will probably be at least a month before I do.
And that’s about it really, vinyl collection still expanding as I search and find cheapies, often for a quid each.
There are several vinyl albums I really want, amongst them Vampire Weekend’s first album, Led Zep’s Physical Graffitti and Pink Floyd’s The Division Bell but sellers want silly money for them, so patience needed on my part.
Farewell for now.
Hi floppybootstomp sorry to hear about the prang on the M1, vehicle died a valiant death then even if it did linger on to get you home, at least you were not hurt except for a little whiplash. The cabinets look great and will look good in black, with the new speakers installed should do you proud and punch out out a big sound. Glad to hear you have got some more work at last and the extra walking will keep you fit and if you keep it up, the knackered feeling will disappear.
