w.atching the w.orld unw.ind

Musically, that is. Otherwise, I'm a bit of a smug b@stard.

I was (and in a way, still am) heavily into what was loosely called "punk".

Several times I saw live The Stranglers, The Clash, The Slits (they were so bad, they were brilliant), The Tubes, The Boomtown Rats, The Jam - the list goes on and on.

But I have three musical misses. No, make that four. I never saw The Sex Pistols. A tragic miss, imo. And although they weren't punk in any shape or form, Steely Dan were a big influence on me at the same time. They cancelled their only U.K. tour because of ill health or something and that was a huge disappointment. And I got into Queen way too late to catch the boat - really sorry, Freddie.

And the fourth regret was never properly learning to play an instrument. Ok, I tinkered with the drums, but in a terrace house, there are always three sets of people capable of not appreciating your attempts to learn taradiddles and flim-flams (even with brushes and rubber pads on the skins) so that foundered early on.

Number One Daughter studied clarinet to Grade Four, and piano to Grade Seven, so there is some talent lying latent in the genes. I love listening to her, when she doesn't know I am. Maybe one day (when I can no longer scuba?) I'll take something up.

Perhaps the triangle? Surely, in 'the home', the other ageds won't be able to hear to complain?

Talking of "having a few" - I believe Number One Son tied one on last night, it being his last time with his coterie before he flies out to the Cook Islands, to start his solo World Tour. We'll wait 'til tonight to decide whether he wants a 'last supper' at home or in a restaurant. I'm betting the stomache will be a tad tender....