Tuning up

The passion for music is something that never leaves me, no matter what... Listening to the melodies, the words, guitar rifs and drum beats all mixed in, I love it.
Drums are my passion...
I was brought up in Gibraltar and home was a modest flat so not much room for a set of drums so... I eventually got a guitar.
Why guitar, I liked it too and it was easy to play, no extra storage and a good sound would be emitted  who knows, I could be the next Michael Schenker, Richie Blackmore or Clapton!!!
I have been playing guitar since I was 16, buying my first guitar with my first wages as a student nurse.
I bought a black guitar, no amp with it and no case, just a large cardboard box. A shiny new axe!
The music store did provide me with a strap and a few picks so a good start. Would you believe I cannot remember the make!

I got it home and tuned it up and... It was dreadful  I was dreadful
The sound was far from sweet, I had a lot to learn.
The next thing on my list was the amplifier. It was massive and a great sound, a Marshall amp. I'd sit on it in the living room and ay LOUD.. 🎵
Next was an effect pedal, a Wah-Fuzz... Awsome.
I also had a Red Base guitar and quite liked playing that... Easier!

I played my guitar every day for a couple of years and then I left home, Gibraltar, leaving it behind.
Over the years, we purchased a couple of second hand acoustic guitars and I'd play 'smoke on the wayer' and other 'easy' tunes for my boys when they were little.
Keiron plays guitar and he is awsome... I now rely on his little tips to help me out and take his seconds
Paul used to play keyboard although he's not played for a fair few years. Sean bought himself a drum kit in his teens and was nevour too devoted to it.. In fact, I played them more, after all , always dreamt of it.

I have picked up a few tricks over the years but never had any formal training. Time has also been pretty scarce when you have parenting duties, work etc.
Hence one of the great things about  retirement.
I love my acoustic and I play that one the most, then I have one of Keirons old guitars, a nice 'Fender Strat style'... I love it. There's a cool effect pedal and a small practice amp, can't sit on that one.. Not with my back 😜

Time is finally available for me to tune up and bang out some tunes, Supertramp, Pink Floyd, America, the Stones, MSG, Scorpions... The oldies!

Who knows, maybe the next career as a musician?
I doubt it!!!
However, I am enjoying the tunes

Encephalitis and me...

Apologies for not posting much over the last 6 months.
The reason being, a stay in intensive care, unconsciousness, in an induced comma, waking up confused, dazed and scared, festooned with tubes everywhere and no recollection as to why.
Its been a  sereal journey. The time since has been hard.

One day I am Ram, the next moment, a shell of who I was... Gloomy yes but that's what it felt like.
From being free and able bodied to being dependent on many people, predominantly my wife Julie.
One day, I had influenza, next I'm waking up two weeks later in intensive care????
I'm slowly getting back to myself but there is still a way to go...

Life's been very busy with recovery and physio, memory issues and lots of tests, investigations and  reviews by all sorts of specialists. Then there has been all the exercise, 'strengthening my core' due to the vertebral fractures I have...

No idea when or how I got these but, they are there.

I don't think there's any orifice that's not been scoped or organ that has been radiologically checked out by xray or scan.... The barrage of blood tests I've had is also remarkable that I've not needed a unit or two of blood to replace the 'arm fulls' of claret extracted from my thrombosed veins!!

I've become a patient and it is truly eye opening to be in this position.
I'm in the process of chronicling it and maybe making an attempt at writing a true story about this all. The Encephalitis Society have been very helpful to Julie, my family and myself giving us support and direction. I am indebted to them all, especially Julie who has given me the love and support I have not always returned as well as the strength to carry on. Thank you xxx.
My boys and their wives as well as my sister in law Val and brother in law Tony, as well as my mother and father in law Claire and Henry, who have been there for me. Becks and Mo for their help as well as Ambe, for his help and guidance during the acute phase... My mum, dad, brother and sister who came over when I was ill and all my friends Alan and Helen, Douglas and Irene, Jim, Linda, Jill, Catriona..... The list goes on, Cheers!!
To all my fellow Dr's and nurses who got me over this rather unplanned and dark hump, I thank you all.

I know this may read like an acceptance speech at an award ceremony but in a way it is. It is in deed an award of thanks from me to you all.

As a family, all the help, encouragement and direction we have received from everyone has been humbling and fantastic. The hard work from community services, Louise and Magda as well as the GP services, Nuffield House and Debbs has been amazing to Julie and I. The NHS is a great institution and I have given so much for so many years to it but it has paid me back when I needed it. Thank you 😌 (I'm not very good at choosing the appropriate EMOGI).
Anyway, having this perspective of healthcare professional to patient may be worthwhile to undertake, especially for me!
I'm in a space I hope no one gets to experience... I appreciate the alternative is RIP but this is not a bed of roses either.
Despair, pain and anger need to be managed and I am not always good at it.
Society imposes on us to be strong as men and as professionals... This is not always easy but hayho, life goes on.

It's not been all bad: I got to see the world cup 2018 on TV even though the team I was backing came third... Though most important of all, I got to meet our fourth grandchild, the beautiful little lady Eliza, who joins Heath, Cass and Daisy as the new leaves in our ever expanding family tree.

I have been writing a little, reading even less but painting and drawing a lot... One of my friends helped me conjure up the word 'Encephalartist'... I don't think it's been used before and I'm going to take the bizzare honour of claiming it... 😁

In the meantime, I leave you with some of my art... And a promise to get some more posts in sooner than they have appeared lately.
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer, reading and creating life.... I hope you consider reading one of the books available on Amazon
If you do, please leave a review and make sure you tell others that these books exist and are in the public domain to be read and enjoyed by everyone.

Peace and love 😘

Anti-Lotto book

UK lottery is a staggering £22 millions.
Chances of winning are stacked against you...
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Birthday Book

Birthday Kindle Countdown Deal

In order to celebrate my 50th Birthday tomorrow... Yes I know I don't look old enough (I wish!!)

I am putting my first book, Legally Lucky, on a promo for a week.

It's my present to you.

It will be available for under a pound on the Amazon UK site..

Its 16o hours of availability for a decent book with a charming and intriguing story full of hopes, dreams and aspirations.

Twists of fate and friendship are the thread of this and I can guarantee you will enjoy it.

Here is the link... Birthday Book

When you have read it, please do me a favour and write a review?

Many thanks

1	August 23, 2015 at 8:00 AM (GMT)	160h	£0.99	59%
End	August 30, 2015 at 12:00 AM (GMT)		Original list price £2.39

Dreams

"I don't dream at night, I dream all day. I dream for a living."

Steven Spielberg http://t.co/7KijhU5eQo

It's on.... Amazon Kindle

Legally Lucky is now available in the kindle edition for only £0.99
It's on kindle Countdown Deal.
Go to Amazon.co.uk and get your bargain book now.

Legally Lucky Deal

Kindle Countdown Deal

Kindle Countdown Deal Scheduled on
Amazon.co.uk
March 26, 2015 March 31, 2015....
£0.99 for a great story,  brilliant reviews...  A bargain.

All I ask from you in return is a review once you have read it...  Thanks in advance
Ram

Legally Lucky short promo video

A short promo video for Legally Lucky
It on YouTube but the novel is on Amazon Kindle and paperback:

Click here video

Lottery winning dreams

Lottery dreams
Numerous lottery draws take place all over the world.
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The chances of winning are millions to one,  however,  you have to be in it to win it.
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Does money really bring you happiness?
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Hoping for a big win on the lottery draws tonight in the UK?
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Lucky

Euro millions dream

It's another draw on the European lottery tonight.
So how will this change your life?
We all believe that it could only make life easier,  quality and value,  being able to afford some luxury and even enjoy some excesses.

However what if it went wrong?
Legally Lucky...  My first book,  examines this.
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Enjoy the ride and please remember to treasure what you have.  Live every moment

Free Book Promotion on Amazon Kindle

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My first novel...  Legally Lucky.

An intrepid story of luck, friendship and strength,  mix in a little money, well millions really.  Then add in terrorism and racism, topped up with court hearings and you have Legally Lucky!

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Read this and then read my other books... 
Sunday January 18, 2015 To January 22, 2015
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Lottery dreams... Fact Or fiction?

On the eve of another massive European lottery draw,  we can be excused for dreaming.
Legally Lucky,  my first book,  addressed the fictional character winning multiple lotteries through pure luck. It instantly changed his life with millions in the bank,  however was it for the better?

It's a challenge to know what one can do with all this surplus cash,  we've all thought about it.

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Here's the link millions

Legally reviewed

Here is a review by Chris: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/502211625