Update May 2010

Hello visitors

Since my last update I think the only things of any significance that have been happening are the journey to the south of England to attend the party organised for Alf (Zimmer) and the recording of my Rose of my Heart song. I spoke about both of these in video blogs which are here on the site.

It was of course sad to see that Alf must now be nearing the end of his life but very nice that we all got together with him. It was nice to see that Tim Samuels and Simon Brown the producers of the original BBC programme took time out from their busy lives to attend, which is a testament to the high esteem that they hold for Alf I think. He is now being cared for in a hospice in London. He is visited by friends and is reported to be as “chirpy” as usual. Alf and myself have often been together at events, had many conversations where I have learned a great deal about his life and therefore become quite close. He has told us many times that The Zimmers has been, not only a wonderful experience but has been something that has extended his life. He tells us that he was ready to just give up on life when at the age of 90 this opportunity came along....and how well he has managed all of the work and attention. We will all remember him with affection and gratitude.

The recording of the song was just a whim of mine with no expectations, just something that I had wanted to do for some time with the thought that “well you better do it before it is too late”. Dave and Neil are the ones that manage the Zimmers and of course they and the recording studio are well known to me and therefore the whole thing was very relaxed and I think went well. Neil spent a great deal of time editing it all with the clever software that these producers use and sent me the Master production CD. I have sent a few copies to friends and you will see that it is now available here for you to listen to if you wish. Michael has put a “music” button which will open up a player. We are seeing how you can download it. Whether it be videos, interviews or recordings it is quite natural that one thinks they could have been done better or, in some cases are absolutely rubbish and for a while I hated the recording, just as one does when you hear your own voice but I'm getting more used to it now and actually kinda like it. I hope that you do too.

Of course as you know a great deal of my time and life is still filled with video blogging on YouTube. It is truly amazing what growth there has been with the site which is now a household name and the place to go to search for anything that is anything. I am pleased to have been a part of it and although not now so viewed as in former years so pleased and grateful for the opportunities that it has offered me and the many friends that I have made. There are now videos that receive multi-million hits and people with over a million subscribers, such is the growth. It is still a site populated by the young so it is very rewarding to think that I am still there and viewed. Many times I have thought that I would give it up and then a letter comes, often from a young person who says that they appreciate me there as they view me as a substitute grandfather which gives them comfort which encourages me to keep going on. And then there is the reward of being held as an example of an older person who has embraced computers etc which can be used to encourage others. So I guess that I will keep going for some time.

YouTube is now coming up to it's 5^th anniversary which they want to celebrate in some way. To that end they have selected some users to be profiled or do a portrait of I think. I don't know many details of who or how many but I have been selected as one of them. An independent film crew visited last month to do the filming. It was a very pleasant day with them. The weather was good and we filmed both inside and outside. Of course as is always the case a whole days filming will be edited down to the usual 3 minutes I guess and I hope that they chose those bits where I don't look absolutely retarded. Of course I don't know whether all of it will be assigned to waste bin but if not no doubt YouTube will show it when the time comes.

Until next time

Goodbye