Agh yes .. blog - just remembered I had one of these.

So needless to say, this ole blog has been a little quiet (over a year quiet ...sorry!).

Well, things are kind of different since we last spoke, quite a lot has happened in truth. I've gone from having no work, to some work,to running Espresso Bars and back into the Events Industry. On a personal note, I'm still married, my two kids are now an absolute handful and we're embarking on a house extension in the next few months (we must be MAD). Life on the whole has been a hectic mix of juggling working away from home with general family life  -which to be honest I#m not that great at ...  wife generally keeps 'the car running' for which I am eternally greatful.

Well I've had a few new ideas in terms of blogs, two things mainly.

I've come to realise that my wife is a comic genius - coming out with some of the most random bits of speech you have ever heard ... most of which you, the public really need to hear.... more on this later. Secondly, I'm now working for a 'wee bike shop' .. and have ended up having to accept the 'if you can't beat them, join them' concept ... so I've bought another bike - only this one has skinny tyres and is only as heavy as a packet of bog roll (dry). Long miles and fresh air here I come.

For any of you that read this (do you read this?) -keep in touch.

Where do I start with this one..

OK - Some of you have been privy to the madness of the last week, In short - I handed in a request for voluntary redundancy last Wednesday, which was met with a very surprising attitude indeed. Needless to say that by 6pm that night, the beloved M-Sport 3 Series and Iphone were gone in a blaze of glory! After some going back and forward the redundancy cheque arrived in the post today ... so the job search begins in earnest now. Slight problem being that we head to Boston in a weeks time... But I had a good interview yesterday and have a few more options lined up which I hope come into play.

So while I've had some gardening leave over the last week - I've had a lot of time to think about things, spend time with the people that matter...and go to the gym (Yes, seriously). Is a job really worth it? Is it worthwhile to loose it all for someoneelses benefit? I think not. Take note people.... make those you love Numero Uno and always look after yourself.

The big thing that I'm REALLY looking forward to is getting stabbed with thousands of needles on July 2nd. Most of you wont get this at all - but for my inked buddies Sharon and I are heading back to Pino Bros Ink in Boston, USA next week for some more pain/pleasure. If all goes to plan, I should come back with half of my sleeve done : still in a nautical theme of course. Going for color this time : but it could be the only color piece I'll do. SO - references have been sent off to the artist and hopefully I'll have a "first draft" of the design over the weekend...will of course show you then..

I leave you with this. I had a hard week, it could be a downer. But its not.

Thanks to all of you who called, emailed, Bakebooked ...it meant a lot.

Protect me, dear Lord My boat is so small And Your sea is so big. Amen.

SWC

 

PS - New mobile number : 07919 123 079

I feel challenged this week (I know it's only Tuesday - but sometimes these things just come on you) not really sure why. Oh, and I mean challenged as in challenged not as in "There's physically something wrong with me" challenged - comprende?

The lure of distant shores is calling me I think. yes - we have a holiday to head off on soon - but I'm thinking something a little more long-term. It'd be real BIG deal to leave NI, I know that. We have family, some great friends, a great church, we live by the sea etc etc...but there's something missing I suppose. So here's the thing. I'm not sure if there's something missing about how I'm doing life OR there's something missing about where I'm doing life. I'm searching for the answer.

A good friend (who shall remain nameless) and I had a conversation a while ago about priorities. He shares my "6 string" passion - in fact he's been one of the most encouraging people I've ever encountered over the last few years. We discussed at length the other night how its hard to get the jigsaw right. When you have to jump through so many hoops - it's often worthwhile just hanging the shoes up : for the sake of your health, sanity and general well-being. This, for me has to be the hardest thing to do. I've developed a fantastic ability to get too absorbed into useless things time wise. Wasting my time on fruitless activities you might say. Time waits for no man as they say. I know I want to do something different/better/more worthwhile with my life - but making the transition is proving harder to negate.

So where does this leave me? Not really sure.

I think I need to talk it out a little more. That's what friends are for. Right?

I've been amazed at who reads this nonsense that I write to my blog (all be it on an ad-hoc basis). But for those of you who do stop by - subscribe - commit. Hello, it's nice to have you around.

So I made a decision to keep this a little bit more up to date - publish more tales of woe and occasionally rejoice once in a while. Had a hectic week with one thing and another.

Mum and Dad returned from a well earned few days in the Antrim wilds (Glenarm to be precise) - Dad's still off for a few weeks and whilst he'd resting : he's still not rested enough. Thanks to all of you who have sent good wishes : Big Willis will be back soon to read the riot act (or possibly just the Bible). With my Dad being ill, I've started to realize that we all need to make sure the life balance is right from time to time. Work is work - while we spend an awful amount of time at it..it's not the be all and end all of our existence. At the same time, you spend more of your waking hours in work that anywhere else, sadly even more than we do with our families. So if it's not right, if work isn't doing it for you - there needs to be a change. I know people comment that you're lucky if you do a job that you love, or that it'd be great to "work" at your hobby. Would it? Would I really want to start a business out of my hobby? Would that not just be a situational reversal? Would I want to head to Tescos to "work" to get a break? No - don't think so!

Even though I was busy this weekend - I did get to catch up with a few friends that I don't often get to spend time with. I have to say - I really enjoyed taking the time to have a natter. Strange thing is - everyone I spoke to seemed to be singing from the same hymn sheet. In one way or another; the work/life balance was just not right. Maybe this is just how society is in 2010? We all come from various backgrounds - none of us even work in the same line of work actually, so it really hit home : it's not just me who feels a little out of control at the moment. The hamster wheel has taken everyone on-board. Anyway - enough philosophy. 

Went to Snow Patrol on Saturday - biggest ever gig in NI apparently as they finally knocked U2's 1980's concert off the top spot. Was a good gig - apart from the fact that Sharon couldn't see a thing - the crowd was full of ejits and the walk home was a little challenging. I did however get up to head to church yesterday to fin a guy lying in the middle of the roundabout at the end of our road. He was a little "Tired and Emotional to say the least. Lucky for him - after placing him in the recovery position I then ended up behind an ambulance car on up the road which I sent his way. I'd say he has a sore head with one thing and another.

Sunday, is meant to be a day of rest - but sadly is usually hectic for the Cordner household : as we go to church in Belfast and tend to be doing one thing or another. Yesterday was no different - only for reasons best know to her good self, Sharon had booked a birthday party in Mookie World (AKA : Hell on Earth) - the place was like an oven and smelt decidedly worse I have to say. 40/50 small sweaty kids don't really know what Old Spice or Brut is ..and as a result the room was a little "funky". Kids had a blast - and I ended up doing the usually Dad thing and ended up sitting talking to other Dads..who had been abandoned by their spouses. Result. Left there - without any lunch/dinner and went to a Worship Team meeting at church. Most of you know I play guitar once in a while and tend to be obsessed by all things six-string related. Had a great night - some great fellowship and the realization that I really am blessed to know some of those people, in fact all of them in some capacity. So, thanks to you - if you're reading this. Thanks for the encouragement - support - chats - phone calls. Thanks for making what we do work : and for the opportunity. 

Sentimental bit over - this week's equally packed : FUEL FESTIVAL is this weekend. Your only chance to see US Supergroup SWITCHFOOT in Ireland : get your tickets NOW! Also appearing are Nathan Jess, Brian Houston, Gentry Morris, Rend Collective, Downhere, Leeland. It'll be a magic weekend - and it's in Ballymena! Between now and then - I might try and catch Nathan Jess at McHughs tonight and Kami Kids at Auntie Annies mid-week - check both these folks out ...

Aside from that - I'll be at the Whig. Shout if you need me.

 

Been a bit sparse on the old blog front for a few months, sort of forgot it was here and the necessity to keep it updated.

So I'M BACK - life's weird, wonderful and wacky at the moment. Just celebrated Rhylis' fourth birthday (I feel obliged to say "Where does the time go? - "Where's our baby gone?" etc etc..) It's a bit of a milestone all the same - he's growing up quick, loosing his teeth on a frequent basis and trying to out smart me and his Ma every day. Went to lunch yesterday with the "Outlaws" to celebrate - here he is above.

Hols

On the horizon are our holidays - back the good old Boston we go. We went last year - Sharons' first time in the USA (to which she now wants to move!) and had a blast taking in a few days in the City, some time in the wilds of Maine and a week at the beech in Rhode Island - which I utterly adored. So we're heading back again, this time with my folks in tow. Really looking forward to it as all of us are very like minded and tend to get on well when we're together. You never do get enough time with the 'ole folks anyway. Do you? Dad's been off for a few weeks of late - and is really in need of getting away from home for a few weeks to escape the daily grind. Who said that working one day a week could be so stressful?

Boston holds many memories for me, I lived there in 2001/02 for a while whilst working for Aer Lingus. Sharon and I actually started dating when I lived there - problem being she was 3600 miles East. Not really that handy for dating like. It's also a special place for both of us as we get to go get more tattoos! YO! Booked and all...2nd July 2010 we're under the needle once again. So now comes the tricky part - finalizing designs - consultations via email - size - placement...pain? It's all worth it - and I even think my Dad would be tempted if we got him in the right mood....but what would he get?

Muso..

Still playing guitar (badly) and have recently sold up a load of my stuff. The beloved Avalon L25 has now departed for Welsh shores and is currently in the talented hands of Andy Thomas, a guy who I met on the Avalon Forum and subsequently sold a Fender Electro Acoustic (that I bought while living in Boston) to for his brother. Andy has a real passion for good guitars - especially Avalons so it was great to pass such a nice guitar on to him (For a small fee of course). Priorities are al a bit wrong at present - I have no electric guitar....but two of the best electric guitar amps money can buy/trade/barter. Smart. I know. I traded a lovely Fender Ash bodied Strat with a guy in Dublin for a Marshall 1974X amp. This thing is the business -and in truth - way above what I deserve to have. It really was a deal of a lifetime. I also did a little three way deal with another guy in Carrick for a Fender Blues Deluxe Amp - a nice retro Tweed covered number. Sounds great - and perfect for my needs, really looking forward to playing it more. All my pedals went, along with the three pedal boards and another amp - so I'm starting from scratch again - in an effort to build a new/simple set-up. Have to say thanks to my good friend Gary who has continued to let me borrow his Taylor T5 to play when needed. Your reward is in heaven Gary (Cause I 'aint buying the T5 off you - nice as it is!)

So...some shopping to be done on the geetar front....always good.

Think I may buy a new Avalon Americana - if you haven't seen these acoustic guitars - take a look NOW. They truly are some of the nicest guitars in the world..and the guys in the factory are a pleasure to deal with. Despite not playing as much s I'd like, I'm a firm believer that if you have a great guitar - you'll play more. I also - as mentioned - have no electric (But I do have a grumpy neighbor who seems to not like "The Blues" at 5pm on a Sunday) - so I need to address the situation. I done a few deals on stuff here and there over the last few months and think I could stretch to a nice electric - but the choice is vast...and my mind soo small! Answers on a postcard please as to what guitar you'd like to see me play. 

In an effort to escape the grasp of Ebay - I'm trying to resign myself that I'll buy a guitar in America next month. I also still have a sour taste in my mouth after buying a beautiful guitar from an ejit on the Isle of Skye in February that arrived smashed in the post as they couldn't package it.....8 weeks later I got a refund..but had to pay to send it back to her! Crazy.. 

The End (For now)

Work. Eat. Sleep. Play Guitar. Drive. Phone. 

Oh - and finally...Snow Patrol gig this Saturday... FUEL FESTIVAL next weekend (CHECK IT OUT) and a bunch of congrats to Nathan Jess who is off to open for Brenton Brown this week. Well done Squire.

Trying to be a little more philosophical about life at the moment. Carpe Diem and all that jazz.

It's harder than you think, I suppose if we all took a little time to step back from our daily lives we might realize that we need to make some changes. So I need to make changes? Change is scary though - the un-known has never sat well with we. Despite having a strong faith - the "human" element inside takes over and I doubt my own ability / strength / determination. But I always know that I never do anything by myself or my own ability.

I have a great wife, wonderful kids and great friends. Nothing else really matters.

So - this week may be spent contemplating. Writing a few tunes -possibly a lyric or two - but I generally leave that to my co-pilot.

Take care of yourselves. And each other.

OK, so more about my obsession with guitars!

Just sold/despatched more guitars this week. I now only have one electric and feel like I've lost an arm! I'm trying to resist making an impulse buy and getting the next available guitar that comes my way...but its tough. I'm like a magpie!

We've decided to book our holidays - and head back to our now home-from-home New England/Boston USA. So July 2010 will be spent on the warm (hopefully) coastline of MA/RI/CT and this time my folks are coming too! Which means Sharon and I might get a wee break from the kids for an hour or two here and there. Can't wait to head back as we missed out on doing loads of stuff when we were there back in July - plus going with my Mum and Dad will be great craic as we're all like minded and love the same things.

So on the hit list are;

• Another Tattoo (or two)
• More Sam Adams and Bud Light Pitchers
• BIG steaks
• More trainers 
• Another guitar (It would only be right!)

It's going to be a LONG 7 month wait!

So - haven't been on here in a while .. thought i might say hello again.

Been quite busy over the last week or six. Have spent quite a lot of time (to my wife's annoyance) playing,buying and selling some guitars. You'll know by now that I have a bit of a thing for guitars - and have recently started to play more electric. I bought a Fender 62 Re-Issue Telecaster a couple of years back to celebrate Rhylan's birth and to this day - he and that guitar have been a dream come true. I might sell it soon - but that's just a reflection that Rhylie is growing up and he changing ... which means a change also in the guitar department! (Thats my justification and I'm sticking to it!)

I have however been very lucky with the change in guitars recently : as the "trading" for want of a better word has all been done with friends and people I know. To me, this has been important - there is something rewarding about selling a guitar to someone who you know will really benefit from using it, playing it and learning more through it. I sold a really nice handmade Irish guitar to a guy I hadn't seen for a good while - I know he'll take as much pride in that guitar as I did and not only that, he'll do it more justice that I could ever do!

I've developed a great friendship with two guys from my church - both of which I see a couple of times a week at least. We're all guitar players - and have a shared love of not only guitars but a good old bargain. Both these guys have been great to me in terms of my guitar playing and gear - giving me a helping hand, a compliment or even getting me two guitars for well below the market value - because they wanted to encourage me in my playing. It really means a lot to me - and I'd be stuck without friends like them.

I think I'm still living by the "One In : One Out" rule that was unofficially set by Sharon my wife. She's terribly understanding and even often makes a cheeky remark that she's a guitar widow or that our house is like a guitar hospital. Without her - I'd be nothing, and without me - she'd be young, free and single! 

SC

Some days you have to do things that you really don't want to do. Those days are testing times, sent to push our limits, emotions and ability. It can happen for many reasons, off the back of good and bad times. 

Today was one of those days.

All my life I've been around older people : my dads job has meant that there have always been people around that were older than me. Some a little older.....and some OAP's. I'm made many friends over the years with these folks : many of whom still take a huge interest in what I'm doing, how my family are, the boys and Sharon. A few of these folks have been mentors to me over the years - giving me valuable advice and direction when I needed it. Sometimes experience and an old head is exactly what is needed.

So I lost a good friend today and had to go to her funeral : to send her on to the next chapter of her brilliant story. I'll miss her and her husband who died a few years back for their valued support and friendship. I'm proud to have known Billy and Betty, to have them as friends and for the many happy times we had over the last 19 years. 

Don't waste a minute : for tomorrow could be too late.

SC

Why is it that weekends are busier than weekdays (Usually)? We (my family) always end up doing more things in our spare time at weekends than I'd ever think of doing on a week day. This weekend was no exception ... Kids to things, band practices, gym (not me I hasten to add), playing guitar, cleaning (again to a certain degree not me!), gardening, grass cutting, see the in-laws and out-laws, sister in outlaw and a few friends in-between.

Now, Monday morning beckons and I'm knackered.

Madness.