'Scales

we grew up on British comedy in Australia. So many great ones, but straight off the top of my head (and without yet reading posts above cos they tend to influence me) I'd nominate: TV: from last century - The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (s1) ... and from this century - The Office (both series) Movies: Withnail and I is probably my favorite (possibly '...movie ever') ...The Full Monty was particularly beautiful as well. good memories...

I think the last game I played (and quite a lot at the time) would have been The Simpsons Hit and Run - that was many years ago now I guess. I did not replicate those driving tactics in my own car thankfully, though I've found at times if I've driven a go-kart then its been a bit weird getting back in the family truckster in the carpark afterwards - whoa, slow down man!!

Nausea (...yet again )

my son bought me Pearl Jam's Ten on vinyl late last year (...not sure if that counts as either new music or newly purchased though )

and if you miss the last train you can always sleep in it!

on the plus side, I'm looking forward to recording one of my original tunes and then having, say, AI Steve Marriott on vocals, AI J Mascis on lead, AI Malcolm Young on rhythm, AI Andy Fraser on bass and AI Mikkey Dee on drums (maybe AI Dio for backing vocals while I'm at it)!

I read and listened to quite a lot on this topic in the couple of years before I retired at 52 (now 9 months ago) cos I was concerned about how I'd adjust. A wise man once said "in almost every case we use up our lives making money when we should be using our money to gain time" - holy cr@p that resonated for me, and my view is that ALL we have is time, so all I ever wanted to do was retire and get off that leash. I can only speak from my experience but in the time since I have virtuually never thought about work, closed the book on that chapter of my life and the people in it (much as I quite liked many) and am now focused on happiness. Since retiring I have taken up painting and look forward to writing and performing new songs - modern polemic poetry is on the agenda too (thanks Bukowski!). I read great literature, watch great films, study philosophy, work on my fitness, do a bit of volunteering, and enjoy being there for my loved ones. I lie on my deck and watch clouds and the wind in the trees. I notice colours and shapes and sounds and stop and ponder things. Life aint always great, but my stress levels are so much better (no panic about incoming emails, phone calls). We are too easily lead as to what is "valuable' in life - says who? (then question their motives!) Sh!t I hate using the shift-i buttons so much in a post but my advice is measure twice and cut once - think deeply about what is the real problem - and wishing the best to you for the future!

cool! - or maybe flip it so the cross bar runs down to the left for a touch of (guitarist) humour and originality?

sorry to hear that mate - you have lovely memories of him I'm sure. Much as our cat Gus drives me insane at times, its always nice to know he's around when you come home, so I can imagine the empty feeling right now. Take care.

I'm very new to it (only 2nd month in) but I suspect this is very true - a clean and complete break is a good break I'd reckon. I had to contact my old work re a piece of equipment I was purchasing from them and even though they were super nice I felt like I was intruding somehow.

only 200 eh? I reckon they could shift 2000 of them if marketed well...Gibson may have left a lazy $18 mill on the table?

Sarge, ever get the feeling you missed your calling to be a counsellor?

I moved into early retirement in July and the other day I was at home checking something on-line or reading or whatever and suddenly the thought popped into my mind that I better check email and get back to work (just as it did during the last couple of years working from home due to covid). The thought stayed there a couple of seconds whilst I experienced the old feeling of mild nausea that went with it...then I remembered that all that was in the past. Phew! its all good KSD!

Gibson fans: “$4000 for concert tickets…wtf is wrong with people? “ Bruce fans: “$4000 for a few pound of painted timber with some metal and plastic bits attached…wtf is wrong with people? “ perspective

I have one from 1961 which is very similar (except mine is way more abused looking). I did check at one stage and someone (Duncan ?) made a slim P90 that would slot in and I think the Jeff Beck stacked humbucker would too, so swaps without routing seemed possible. I left the anaemic single coil in it cos I don’t really use the guitar hardly ever anyway, but good to know there are options. Enjoy, it’s a fun thing to have!

Hatred generally seems to be self-directed I’ve found….and often with good reason I’m not big on Kiss, their songs never seemed to have any real edge and the costumes are gimmicky, but they are a bit like Motörhead (who I DO really like) in that their hardcore fans seem incredibly loyal to the band, more so even than to the music, so they must strike a chord with many people (Kiss Army). Rush - seem popular here on the forum but I can honestly say I have never heard even one of their songs, seen any of their albums or know anything about them except their guitarist had a signature amp advertised in guitar magazines at one stage and they are Canadian (?). None of my musician friends has ever mentioned them or to my knowledge own an album (not that we sit around discussing Kiss either…) but I’m guessing they just never got any oxygen down here in Oz - weird, cos from what you guys say I’m assuming they are rocking.

Congratulations! I got to the official starting line just last week myself. This time last year I realised I’d been a paid rat for 30 years and (with my wife’s blessing) decided I’d work until early this year then use up leave until July 1 (new tax year here in Oz), at which point I had been I’d have been selling my precious time alive for 31 years and the death clock suggested I had 31 left - a nice symmetry! Since I haven’t really worked for 6 months now I can say from my perspective it is great - I’ll do some new (right brain!) things certainly but not things that require too much commitment - after 30 years to wake up and know your time is largely your own is awesome - family members say I’ve changed already…less anxious or something. Again, congrats!

Before retiring recently I sometimes had to attend business meetings. On occasion I would wear a suit. My suit cost $400 (with 2 sets of pants) and I thought I looked ok in it - like me, but in a suit. Now, I could have afforded a $6000 tailored suit and it would have been better made, lasted longer, and functioned better, i have no doubt…and if I believed for one minute it would have made me look like the suave, handsome models in the high fashion magazines I’d have bought one in a flash along with shoes and Rolex to complement…but I knew I’d just look ok in it - like me, but in a suit.

A good day all round!

I had a quick look - just enter his name in YouTube and the videos are there (also with link to guitars and prices). Not that I’m a buyer but I always thought the soft pink PRS was pretty/cool and a Ron Asheton V would be good to try.

I think I'd choose either a 2013 Les Paul Standard (pinnacle of build, tradition and innovation?) or else maybe a 1992 Les Paul Standard 1960 Reissue were I buying a non custom LP. Good luck!

I gave you a six-pack of Stroh's, You never drank 'em down, You keep drinkin' Rolling Rock, You know I can't hang around...

Sweet - I can see it now - Why Does it Hurt when I Pee being used as the background music for advertisements for prostate checkups. I'd like to think Frank would smile.

well, if they make few enough... Seriously, I quite like em and they'd be a nice alternative to a Jr - as you say - USA model.