enjoy leisure

Played at a World Aids Day service. Thoughtful time, though don’t have any immediate friends / relations etc with this, had spoken to another member of the band who had worked in Guatemala for a while and knew of one woman who had contracted HIV from her partner (domestic violence inc rape apparently rampant and unsafe sex condoned but condoms not) then passed it on to her babies through breastfeeding – 11 out of 13 of her children died. So also thought about the earlier treatment of people with HIV and Aids, and the lack of touch & contact they had to endure. Also others whom I have known suffer the many physical and social problems of cancer and MRSA. Although this sounds like a very ‘unenjoyable’ use of leisure time I found some peace in it in just respecting the human spirit in adversity and the learning that we as humans are sometimes so slow to achieve.

Next night had a good time at a party, then today had a lovely time with my sweetheart.

Suppose this might not be appropriately classed under ‘leisure / recreation’ but that’s the reason I do it.
Not got to practice for ages and made it tonight. Forgot how fantastic it is. Tomorrow we’re leading the annual Anti Racism March through Glasgow. Hoping the rain magically clears up – there’s nothing like having press cameras stuck in your face when you’re looking like the proverbial drowned rat.
More seriously, there have been quite a few absolutely tragic racist murders in Glasgow in the last year, one of a young lad was too horrific for words. He and others will be in my thoughts.

from work. Weather has been fantastic ( not so great for the hayfever) but have just stayed at home this year, and enjoyed not having to go ! Have been up earlier during past two weeks than am when I’ve got work !
Enjoyed having time to work in garden. Usually by time I get home and get tea etc garden is in shade and full of the old Scottish midges which bite you like crazy !

Played to fans before Scotland game started – great atmosphere, French fans were so determined to enjoy themselves, crazy and all good natured fun – pity they got beat ! Crowds very appreciative of the band – I think we look like we’re enjoying ourselves and that ‘warms’ the crowd to us.

Good, if tiring day.

is such a buzz – although I do realise I need to do other stuff that counts as leisure too !
But we’re playing at Murrayfield Stadium (not on the turf, at the entrance) for the Scotland France game in the Six Nations Cup on Sunday. Just prior to that we’re playing for a while in Edinburgh City Centre.
Found I love performing like this, people love it and the band has such IMPACT !!

I meant to have some time each day / evening – althoughthe drumming is great I havent sorted my daily stuff out yet. Need plan – AND DO !!

went drumming tonight – couldn’t be bothered to make the effort to go – but did and it’s as fantastic as ever. The energy that goes round the room is bloody briliant.

JANUARY 15

i contacted various agencies involved in PTSD & domestic violence.

i’ve been in touch with the UK heads of two of them, but they are struggling for funding. They also deal with PTSD from all sorts of causes. Yet no funding.

I want to work to raise public & professional awareness of Complex PTSD suffered by adolescents and adults because they witnessed/experienced domestic violence. The effects of this can be life long.