Locked down with my Ukulele 14

These are strange times and now thinking back I wonder what I could possibly be stressed about as a teenager. It’s all a matter of perspective really, isn’t it? I remember talking to some one and they were talking in general about their problems.

She said “I know to some people think my problems are very small. But! They are my problems and to me they’re huge.”

The releasing of lockdown is an example of this. Some people are very casual about distancing and wearing protection, gathering in close proximity at large gatherings, at the beach or in public parks. Getting in close proximity to others because it doesn’t count because they are family.

Others are afraid to leave the house. Having home deliveries of groceries then disinfecting the packaging before they put it away.

People are asking the government to tell them what they are allowed to do. Maybe the question is wrong. Maybe it should be, what is it safe to do?

The virus hasn’t changed. So what is my point? The above is an observation not a judgement.

How stressed are you? How do you cope with that? Believe me I’m no expert. I’ve been broken several times.

Another friend of mine has to have a cup of tea. It’s her super power. Anything can be dealt with after a cup of tea. Experts say in a survival situation you should calm yourself down by doing something normal like making a cup of tea or coffee, it helps keep things rational.

Mine has always been music. When I started earning my own money something to play music on was fairly high on my list of priorities. The popular local electrical appliance store was Curry’s. Right in the town centre, the building is now a Starbucks. I did make a few trips to the store before purchase checking out what was available in my budget.

With the shop assistants help I played the radio and tried out the cassette with my own tape and selected a new Hi Fidelity music centre. Payment plan arranged I got the documents and the payment card. Appropriately stamped with my initial payments.

The music centre was another evolution in home entertainment systems. It didn’t have the smooth bass but like the radiogram it did have a particular odour. Not as complex as the radiogram but individual just the same. MP3 players today just don’t smell.

This was an upright. So with sleek faux teak sides and smoked glass door I took great pride in my choice. The top held the turntable and stacked in a silver solid frame was the cassette player, graphic equaliser, volume treble and bass controls. With a big silver button that selected the medium you wanted played. It could have been regarded as a regressive step because you couldn’t “stack” the 45’s.

This was however the age of the hits albums. That’s what I call music albums (other multi hit albums were available) had not yet reached double numbers. These were great because you could get a number of the latest hits without the expense of buying all the singles. There was always a couple of duff tracks on each album but most were good.

The music centre also had the dubious "record" facility. Part of my Saturday routine was to pop into Curry’s and get my latest stamp. Go to the stall on the market to ensure I had enough blank tape space for the next day. Sunday I’d select the radio and insert a cassette press play and record simultaneously then dance around the room listening to and recording the top 40 of the week. Then for the rest of the week I’d play the cassette in the car (I hope the statute of limitations has run out on copyright!).

That same music centre and that room was where I went to relax.

Vivaldi The Four seasons.

I’m not big into classical music I like what I like and would be guessing if I was played a piece and asked to name the composer.

Granddad lived with us for a while and he loved his classical music. He was retired and would spend hours paying his classical records at great volume. Opera as well. It was granddad that was shouted at to turn it down. I’m still not sure if he was slightly deaf and needed to play it that loud or if he was deaf because he played it all that loud. It does explain why I’m not keen on opera.

The four seasons obviously has been around since the seventeen hundreds. I can’t independently identify each season but left to play you can hear and identify each season’s character. I find it quite soothing. I’d go into that room put the album on, turn off the lights, lay on the settee close my eyes and relax.

I’m pretty sure Granddad gave me that album which I still have and will play again when I get the turntable sorted out. I think I should thank granddad for that.

Stay safe and take deep breaths.