rivers2cross

Everything changed for me back in 1983 when I first came across the poppy being used as the logo for The Alarm, who have been my favourite band for 39 years. Of course the Remembrance Day significance of the flower was always something that had made the flower unique, but for me it was the musical connection which really did it for me. At this time of the year i love seeing them everywhere and I took this photo when I arrived at work at 7.30 this morning.

I have a poppy tattoo on my left arm. This is the The Alarm’s logo, which is still used on much of the bands merchandise, although in recent years new variations of the poppy have also been used. Getting a tattoo was a fairly spontaneous decision almost 15 years ago now I think, and I kept it hidden from my parents until after dad died in 2009.

There is a very good chance that poppies in some degree will feature on the Fields of Dawn record, but until I have everything finalised I will keep that to myself.

It’s been a very quiet week on the fundraising. A blank week for orders, but after the incredibly busy few months these interludes do come as a welcome break, and to be fair I am no longer chasing the next sale quite to the same degree that I was a year or two ago, which was not a healthy thing to be doing. I will have a long build up to the Fields of Dawn album, so there is no point in setting targets as that removes the creative enjoyment of the whole process. Ambitions for it to succeed are absolutely fine of course, especially making a few quid for the three cancer charities. I now tend to look at the fundraising as part of a much bigger overall picture of my life. It’s an important part of course, but no longer my sole focus. Work still in progress, but I am more aware and open to opportunities this life has to offer x

I’ve had some really nice messages and comments this week for which I am ever so grateful, and it’s these kind of special things that really are beginning to play such a big role and influencing me as a human being x