Well March is here and the first two week of life after Zavvi have nearly passed. Predictably two week of ups and downs.

The uppers have been the wealth of encouraging emails that have come in from all corners of the world acknowledging support for my predicament. For all those that took time to do that, let me say that every one of them has been an inspiration. The good lady Janet has been amazing as has Sam and Adam – so too JL, Sally and Martyn. Elsewhere there’s been grateful support (and beers) from Terry and Max and other friends. Andrew Ricci and Larry Bergmann have sent in postal inspiration and Mick Bulow has been fantastic in his practical advice and it was good to hear from Graeme H. and Gary F.

The downers – the paper work and forms to fill to claim redundancy via the government– the fact that due to one of the many changes of ownership the stores went under, I can only claim five years service (not much to show for after 35 years graft)… a rather bizarre initial attempt to get back into employment that I won’t go into detail about but quickly went pear shaped (As Martyn quipped “DL’s the only man who could go to an interview and not get interviewed!”)….it’s not going to be easy out there for sure. I was, and probably still am in shock for most of last weekend but despite some dark moments I have had to force myself to look forward –not back…also been carrying a cold for about two weeks and somehow pulled a muscle in my back that is well sore (might have been the after effects of that final football match!). A visit to the Jobseekers office today was also an eye opener. Then there was the meeting with the bank where in amongst

All the financial stuff, on learning of my age the otherwise pretty helpful lady suggested I might want to take out funeral arrangement cover…laugh?…we nearly died!

But … on the good side I’ve not allowed myself to think too much of what’s been lost. It’s not felt like I haven’t been working because every day has been pretty full – searching job sites, CV’s to write, Jobseekers admin to investigate and kick starting the text for the spring TBL magazine. Had a great meet with Martyn about the next magazine and it’s shaping up well.

Other inspirations: More fantastic Zep 1969 research work from Mike Tremaglio to pour over, and having the luxury to listen to Physical Graffiti all the way through from the first riff of Custard Pie through to the last zip of the Gibson on Sick Again 34 days to the day it came out – that’s been my one concession, there’s been no watching day time TV treats such as the Jeremy Kyle show (Christ I might be on it soon!), Bargain Hunt or Loose Women honest!. The best TV of the last few days (aside from the excellent Gavin & Stacey second series now being shown on BBC2) has been the BBC2 documentary on last year’s Olympics closing ceremony with plenty of footage of Jimmy rehearsing and at the actual ceremony –an event which I still stand by as being bizarrely amazing.

So life goes on albeit in uncertain and changed circumstances. Although something’s don’t change and Spurs valiant attempt to thwart the might of Man Utd ended as usual in vein..,,,but penalties….come on don’t kick a man when he’s down…

On the player – an iPod playlist of the very fine Graham Nash, the English one of the celebrated C,S N and Y. I’d love to get hold of his new three CD box set Reflections but that won’t be feasible given current financial circumstances so it’s been good to search out the stuff I have by him such as the underrated Wild Tales album. Physical G as mentioned has also been blasted out and a clutch of CD’s sent over by Larry B including the hard to find Jimi Hendrix Concerts album. Looking forward to the Rock and Pop Auction due to be staged in Bedford on Saturday March 14 which the bruv JL has been heavily involved in – some very nice Zep bits on offer including a multi disc gold award and signed guitar (seewww.peacockauction.co.uk to view the catalogue on line). Not of course that I’ll be investing.

The time for extravagance certainly ain’t now and I’m sure the takings at The Fox And Hounds pub round the corner are suffering a little bit too – now I’m not in my regular corner any more.

Still I guess that won’t do my health any harm, although the way my back feels right now that’s yet to be proved…