Phil version 2.0

“ You can’t always get what you want ...”   (Mick Jagger and Keith Richards 1969) Last Tuesday, I attended the monthly meeting, of my book club, in which we discussed our latest read - Madame Bovary.    I had personally, enjoyed it enormously. One or two others though, expressed some disquiet, over how realistic was Emma Bovary’s personality.  At least one individual asked whether any of us knew such a person. Being brutally honest,  I do  -  me!  That said, the similarities lie in aspects of her personality - not in all of her actions!   I’ll just provide a  very  brief outline of some pertinent elements of the story, which I hope will paint something of picture of her character:   Emma Bovary marries a well-meaning (but not too interesting nor competent) doctor called Charles, with whom she soon becomes disillusioned. In other respects, also, she considers her life to be mundane and craves greater happiness. As we will see, she doesn’t make a very good job of attaining it ...   One n

“ And sweet, sweet as a mountain stream, we'll look toward to a new day breaking ...”   (Roy Harper and David Gilmour 1978)   Now that doesn’t sound, very much like the Phil v2.0 that we’ve come to know ...    Indeed - this is rather, a novel post.   Its motivation is, however, some very “sweet” things , and they deserve a markedly positive response. Don’t worry - no doubt, I’ll go back to being “Mr Miserable”, in subsequent posts!   Not only sweetness, but I’ll try to keep it brief -  short and sweet!   So, what are these “sweet things”? Prompted by the most recent one, I am coming to the realisation, that we are only two thirds of the way through 2021, and it has already borne witness to some wonderful happenings:   ·        My daughter has got engaged and given birth to lovely Noah. She and her partner, look to be turning into a great mum and dad.  Noah is, clearly very well loved - and he knows it!   ·        My eldest son has obtained a  First-class acting degree, from one of

“ I’m  learning  to fly; but I ain’t got wings; coming down; is the hardest thing ”   (Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne 1991)   Well, actually ...    “I’m  learning  the bass; but I ain’t got much talent; so, making fast progress; is unlikely to happen”   (Phil v2.0 2021)   And yes - I do know that it doesn’t rhyme!    But (to steal from Spike Milligan - I think!):   “Roses are red Violets are blue Most  poems rhyme But  this one , doesn’t”!   You will be unsurprised from the sub-heading, to discover that I have started  learning  to play the bass guitar.   I might have an awfully long way to go, but I’m working hard - and the motivation for this post was an hour of practice earlier today (a regular, daily activity!).   Here’s my new baby, with some of its friends.   Perhaps needless to say, but my quest to become a   rock god  is something of a challenge (to say the least!).     I do however relish the taking on, of other (a little more serious)  learning objectives  and the satisfaction prod