June diary 2026
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June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and family.
There is nothing more important than family (even though some of my extended family members, I would swap them easily for a motorbike, a fast car or a vintage Les Paul. Just saying ;) )
So let's hear your thoughts on family and marriage during this month.
TeeGee attached the following image:
Edited by TeeGee on June 1, 2026 at 9:16 AM
There is nothing more important than family (even though some of my extended family members, I would swap them easily for a motorbike, a fast car or a vintage Les Paul. Just saying ;) )
So let's hear your thoughts on family and marriage during this month.
TeeGee attached the following image:
Edited by TeeGee on June 1, 2026 at 9:16 AM
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Yesterday Mrs. Gee and I were sitting in the living room minding our own business when we heard scratch scratch scratch from the roller shutter box above the patio door.
Now we had birds in there in the past, and usually at spring time we squeeze some nylon sheets in there so they can't get in, but we forgot this year. So usually when you then bang on the box from inside, they buzz off.
But not yesterday. We banged several times, demonic scratching continues. Rats? Squirrels? Other vermin? We started to feel uneasy...
Then I had a Baldric moment with a brilliant idea! I have a hand held monitor with a very thin digital camera on a flexible shaft at the tip, that has light and you can turn it 180 degrees, and make photos when inserted into small orifices.
And no, I am not a doctor shame on you for having these thought!! It is used to check cylinders and gearboxes and inside rails and stuff for cars and bikes.
Anyway, I went to the garage, got the camera out and inserted it into the shutter box (from a safe distance I have to add). At the beginning we did not see anything, tried to move it here and there and then suddenly we saw something horrific bony demonic hairy scary looking thing, WTF??????
After maneuvering the camera to and fro while fearing for our souls we finally managed to see what it was: A HUGE stag beetle :D :D :D In the past few years I've seen more of these than ever before, it seems they are thriving in our garden area.
Now we did not know what to do to get it out, in the end I turned on the patio light, and no longer than 5 minutes after the beast exited the box, fell flat on his back and started to desperately flail about with his demonic legs like, well, an upturned beetle.
we helped him up and put him on the grass, hopefully he recovered from his ordeal. I forgot to take a picture, but it was dark anyway, but this internet picture is more or less what it was.
TeeGee attached the following image:
Edited by TeeGee on June 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Now we had birds in there in the past, and usually at spring time we squeeze some nylon sheets in there so they can't get in, but we forgot this year. So usually when you then bang on the box from inside, they buzz off.
But not yesterday. We banged several times, demonic scratching continues. Rats? Squirrels? Other vermin? We started to feel uneasy...
Then I had a Baldric moment with a brilliant idea! I have a hand held monitor with a very thin digital camera on a flexible shaft at the tip, that has light and you can turn it 180 degrees, and make photos when inserted into small orifices.
And no, I am not a doctor shame on you for having these thought!! It is used to check cylinders and gearboxes and inside rails and stuff for cars and bikes.
Anyway, I went to the garage, got the camera out and inserted it into the shutter box (from a safe distance I have to add). At the beginning we did not see anything, tried to move it here and there and then suddenly we saw something horrific bony demonic hairy scary looking thing, WTF??????
After maneuvering the camera to and fro while fearing for our souls we finally managed to see what it was: A HUGE stag beetle :D :D :D In the past few years I've seen more of these than ever before, it seems they are thriving in our garden area.
Now we did not know what to do to get it out, in the end I turned on the patio light, and no longer than 5 minutes after the beast exited the box, fell flat on his back and started to desperately flail about with his demonic legs like, well, an upturned beetle.
we helped him up and put him on the grass, hopefully he recovered from his ordeal. I forgot to take a picture, but it was dark anyway, but this internet picture is more or less what it was.
TeeGee attached the following image:
Edited by TeeGee on June 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
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Ugh, that's awful TeeGee, I'm glad I haven't found any of those monsters.
My house is a magnet for 'wild-life' First spiders, then wasps (from a nest). And remember "The thing in the attic" that turned out to be squirrels. Pigeons hang about all day and there was a rat on the bird table. The most recent invasion was after just 3 days away, Houseflies had taken up residence. Flies, flies, flies everywhere, very lethargic and many dead on the floor.... they were... well, falling like flies. So after a week of chasing them out of windows, sucking them up with the vacuum cleaner and reluctantly swatting a few, it seems to be fly free again. :o
My house is a magnet for 'wild-life' First spiders, then wasps (from a nest). And remember "The thing in the attic" that turned out to be squirrels. Pigeons hang about all day and there was a rat on the bird table. The most recent invasion was after just 3 days away, Houseflies had taken up residence. Flies, flies, flies everywhere, very lethargic and many dead on the floor.... they were... well, falling like flies. So after a week of chasing them out of windows, sucking them up with the vacuum cleaner and reluctantly swatting a few, it seems to be fly free again. :o
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TeeGee wrote:
June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and family.
There is nothing more important than family (even though some of my extended family members, I would swap them easily for a motorbike, a fast car or a vintage Les Paul. Just saying ;) )
So let's hear your thoughts on family and marriage during this month.
June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and family.
There is nothing more important than family (even though some of my extended family members, I would swap them easily for a motorbike, a fast car or a vintage Les Paul. Just saying ;) )
So let's hear your thoughts on family and marriage during this month.
You don't have many takers for this subject TeeGee. Lots of musicians don't talk about family online. Mostly mine don't live close and they don't know about my music or read what I write. That's OK, I like to keep these things seperate.
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lol you don't have to have been a horse to have an opinion about riding one ;)
You don't have to talk specifically about your marriage, but generally your thoughts about it, or family. Or music. Or horses :)
By the way, talking about it, I just watched the Jamie Vardy documentary on Netflix, very good watch!
You don't have to talk specifically about your marriage, but generally your thoughts about it, or family. Or music. Or horses :)
By the way, talking about it, I just watched the Jamie Vardy documentary on Netflix, very good watch!
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My son got excited because he saw that Sabaton was coming to Finland. Well, I guess I'll buy tickets for the gig on Wednesday. I'll gladly pay for the tickets so he can go to his first rock concert
I love to write about my family, as the diary asked. I've always done that.
On the other hand, I live a pretty boring life, so there's not much to write about.🙂
Well, there should be a few interesting events next month.
I love to write about my family, as the diary asked. I've always done that.
On the other hand, I live a pretty boring life, so there's not much to write about.🙂
Well, there should be a few interesting events next month.
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TeeGee wrote:
lol you don't have to have been a horse to have an opinion about riding one ;)
lol you don't have to have been a horse to have an opinion about riding one ;)
I don't know anything about horses except they have long faces :|
I have written a poem that connects marriage and horses. B)
I once knew a woman who married her horse.
He was virile and strong, a real tour de force.
After they wed she suffered remorse
No social or sexual intercourse
Their union a thing that no-one could endorse
So it didn't work out and they got a divorce
I'm joking, of course :D
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You may remember I've been trying to sell my house for ages, viewings had dried up so I was delighted some people wanted to look around today.
I told the Estate Agent to lock the front door (after the viewing) and put the key back through the letter box. I was about 15 minutes away when I realised my other keys (to let myself in) were still inside on a shelf by the door, so I had to rush back. The agent was still there but had already pushed the key inside.
The guy managed to slide the keys along the shelf with some bent wire hooked to them. He got them to the letter box but they dropped to the floor inside.
I remembered that there is a remote control to open the garage door but it was in the car, which was locked (the car key was inside too).
So the guy calls his Son in law to bring a magnate and some string.
Because we couldn't see inside, it was like blind fishing. Anyway the young guy had an idea, he pushed his phone into the letter box and took a picture of the key on the floor, almost lost his phone too.... It worked, the magnet was in a bag tied to string and a piece of wire. I pushed the box open with my umbrella (of course it was raining) and we all held our breath and the older guy slowly raised the key and pulled it to my waiting hands.... phew, what a fun experience, just hope the the visitors buy the house now :)
I told the Estate Agent to lock the front door (after the viewing) and put the key back through the letter box. I was about 15 minutes away when I realised my other keys (to let myself in) were still inside on a shelf by the door, so I had to rush back. The agent was still there but had already pushed the key inside.
The guy managed to slide the keys along the shelf with some bent wire hooked to them. He got them to the letter box but they dropped to the floor inside.
I remembered that there is a remote control to open the garage door but it was in the car, which was locked (the car key was inside too).
So the guy calls his Son in law to bring a magnate and some string.
Because we couldn't see inside, it was like blind fishing. Anyway the young guy had an idea, he pushed his phone into the letter box and took a picture of the key on the floor, almost lost his phone too.... It worked, the magnet was in a bag tied to string and a piece of wire. I pushed the box open with my umbrella (of course it was raining) and we all held our breath and the older guy slowly raised the key and pulled it to my waiting hands.... phew, what a fun experience, just hope the the visitors buy the house now :)
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Shamika wrote:
You may remember I've been trying to sell my house for ages, viewings had dried up so I was delighted some people wanted to look around today.
I told the Estate Agent to lock the front door (after the viewing) and put the key back through the letter box. I was about 15 minutes away when I realised my other keys (to let myself in) were still inside on a shelf by the door, so I had to rush back. The agent was still there but had already pushed the key inside.
The guy managed to slide the keys along the shelf with some bent wire hooked to them. He got them to the letter box but they dropped to the floor inside.
I remembered that there is a remote control to open the garage door but it was in the car, which was locked (the car key was inside too).
Wow Shamika, what a story, the suspense is worthy of a Hitchcock movie! The end must have been a real relief for you. :W:)
So the guy calls his Son in law to bring a magnate and some string.
Because we couldn't see inside, it was like blind fishing. Anyway the young guy had an idea, he pushed his phone into the letter box and took a picture of the key on the floor, almost lost his phone too.... It worked, the magnet was in a bag tied to string and a piece of wire. I pushed the box open with my umbrella (of course it was raining) and we all held our breath and the older guy slowly raised the key and pulled it to my waiting hands.... phew, what a fun experience, just hope the the visitors buy the house now :)
You may remember I've been trying to sell my house for ages, viewings had dried up so I was delighted some people wanted to look around today.
I told the Estate Agent to lock the front door (after the viewing) and put the key back through the letter box. I was about 15 minutes away when I realised my other keys (to let myself in) were still inside on a shelf by the door, so I had to rush back. The agent was still there but had already pushed the key inside.
The guy managed to slide the keys along the shelf with some bent wire hooked to them. He got them to the letter box but they dropped to the floor inside.
I remembered that there is a remote control to open the garage door but it was in the car, which was locked (the car key was inside too).
Wow Shamika, what a story, the suspense is worthy of a Hitchcock movie! The end must have been a real relief for you. :W:)
So the guy calls his Son in law to bring a magnate and some string.
Because we couldn't see inside, it was like blind fishing. Anyway the young guy had an idea, he pushed his phone into the letter box and took a picture of the key on the floor, almost lost his phone too.... It worked, the magnet was in a bag tied to string and a piece of wire. I pushed the box open with my umbrella (of course it was raining) and we all held our breath and the older guy slowly raised the key and pulled it to my waiting hands.... phew, what a fun experience, just hope the the visitors buy the house now :)
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Been a hectic few days. Recorded some keys for a track to be released outside of Wikiloops (which is a first).
Still in shock over the number of positive comments and messages I`ve been getting in recent weeks, is killing-with-kindness a new trend???
Also starting to get a bit nervous about next weeks National Special Olympics where among 4000 athletes my youngest is competing as defending tennis champion. National TV stations will have live broadcasts. In the run up to the event my son has been doing tv and radio interviews. Think I mentioned this before but if I had the amount of publicity he`s enjoying, my career as a rock superstar would have been a no-brainer.
Still in shock over the number of positive comments and messages I`ve been getting in recent weeks, is killing-with-kindness a new trend???
Also starting to get a bit nervous about next weeks National Special Olympics where among 4000 athletes my youngest is competing as defending tennis champion. National TV stations will have live broadcasts. In the run up to the event my son has been doing tv and radio interviews. Think I mentioned this before but if I had the amount of publicity he`s enjoying, my career as a rock superstar would have been a no-brainer.
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What a nice surprise - I've got an update on the Wikiloops app today :) Although on my tablet it insisted to be updated twice, first time via the Aurora Store (an anonymous proxy to Google's Play Store), then via the Play Store - so I guess there must be some hard dependency somewhere... funny though that that did *not* happen on my Google-free phone (Pixel 6a running GrapheneOS)... see the screenshot from my tablet.
Another nice surprise - my old friend and former lead singer in our band sent me his latest album. In case you understand German and like hard rock, listen to it on https://levonthomas.bandcamp.com/album/momentan-mensch
Done very professionally - came with a proper CD and booklet, was mastered at Abbey Road, wow...
wjl attached the following image:
Edited by wjl on June 12, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Another nice surprise - my old friend and former lead singer in our band sent me his latest album. In case you understand German and like hard rock, listen to it on https://levonthomas.bandcamp.com/album/momentan-mensch
Done very professionally - came with a proper CD and booklet, was mastered at Abbey Road, wow...
wjl attached the following image:
Edited by wjl on June 12, 2026 at 12:08 PM
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I expect several wikiloopers are watching the World Cup but for Europeans it's not so easy because of the time zone differences. I don't care about England, I don't know why but I'm not inspired by the way they play and the Southgate years were so boring.
I have a soft spot for Scotland because their supporters are great, really up for it - they've taken Scotland to Boston (kilts, bagpipes and all) and become very popular, even got a local Cop to do 'keepsie-upsies' [img]https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/article37291794.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200e/0_boston-cop.jpg[/img]
However, my favorite team of all are JAPAN, they have total commitment, they work hard as a team and they have a great attitude. The fans are respectful and always tidy up after the game.
[img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRsGFy11hFzfZbGF1oCL5uqlLUo8578H22aNQ&s[/img]
I watched Germany's first game a 7 - 1 win... but it wasn't too hard was it :D
Looking forward to the next round when the big teams face more equal competition.
I have a soft spot for Scotland because their supporters are great, really up for it - they've taken Scotland to Boston (kilts, bagpipes and all) and become very popular, even got a local Cop to do 'keepsie-upsies' [img]https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/article37291794.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200e/0_boston-cop.jpg[/img]
However, my favorite team of all are JAPAN, they have total commitment, they work hard as a team and they have a great attitude. The fans are respectful and always tidy up after the game.
[img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRsGFy11hFzfZbGF1oCL5uqlLUo8578H22aNQ&s[/img]
I watched Germany's first game a 7 - 1 win... but it wasn't too hard was it :D
Looking forward to the next round when the big teams face more equal competition.
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I've tried to watch the games in the tournament, but I always fall asleep before halftime. Well, here's the good thing, I don't stay up as late as I normally do. This is a good sleeping pill.
I haven't watched all the games, but if I remember correctly, Canada was an interesting team. They ran a lot, and didn't just stand still.
The Japanese fans made me smile the most because they know how to behave. Cleaning the stadium was something that other fans don't do.
I haven't watched all the games, but if I remember correctly, Canada was an interesting team. They ran a lot, and didn't just stand still.
The Japanese fans made me smile the most because they know how to behave. Cleaning the stadium was something that other fans don't do.
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I watched a little, but to be honest, I am waiting until it hots up a bit. I listened to Spain drawing with Cape Verde, and that one was quite cool to hear, love it when an underdog gets a point :)
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Just a little 'feeling sorry for myself' note for my diary today.
Every so often I get stuck in a 'looping' pattern of download, remix, upload, listen, delete and repeat. It's a lack of confidence on my part, but also a feeling that I don't want to make any followers feel obliged to listen to me yet again when I'm not even liking my own adds. I know it doesn't matter and I'm just here to collaborate and enjoy the place but all I can do is add a vocal now and it's taking more and more attempts to get the sound I'm after.
I seem to be looking back to 2012 or 2022 which were successful years when I was rolling out song after song and feeling happy with them all. Going back even further to productions (pre 2009) makes me realise how much time and effort I put in back then, but actually I overdid it and the result was too much for many listeners.
In 2026 I just thow a vox track onto someone else's clever backing and it's all so easy, it's more of a 'thowaway' experience. This is probably why I make so many uploads unlike wikiloopers who work on their craft for much longer.
I still have lyrics to offer but I'm not sure people want clever or poetic lyrics when a simple "Hey, yeah" will do :)
Every so often I get stuck in a 'looping' pattern of download, remix, upload, listen, delete and repeat. It's a lack of confidence on my part, but also a feeling that I don't want to make any followers feel obliged to listen to me yet again when I'm not even liking my own adds. I know it doesn't matter and I'm just here to collaborate and enjoy the place but all I can do is add a vocal now and it's taking more and more attempts to get the sound I'm after.
I seem to be looking back to 2012 or 2022 which were successful years when I was rolling out song after song and feeling happy with them all. Going back even further to productions (pre 2009) makes me realise how much time and effort I put in back then, but actually I overdid it and the result was too much for many listeners.
In 2026 I just thow a vox track onto someone else's clever backing and it's all so easy, it's more of a 'thowaway' experience. This is probably why I make so many uploads unlike wikiloopers who work on their craft for much longer.
I still have lyrics to offer but I'm not sure people want clever or poetic lyrics when a simple "Hey, yeah" will do :)
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Shamika wrote:
Just a little 'feeling sorry for myself' note for my diary today.
Every so often I get stuck in a 'looping' pattern of download, remix, upload, listen, delete and repeat. It's a lack of confidence on my part, but also a feeling that I don't want to make any followers feel obliged to listen to me yet again when I'm not even liking my own adds. I know it doesn't matter and I'm just here to collaborate and enjoy the place but all I can do is add a vocal now and it's taking more and more attempts to get the sound I'm after.
I seem to be looking back to 2012 or 2022 which were successful years when I was rolling out song after song and feeling happy with them all. Going back even further to productions (pre 2009) makes me realise how much time and effort I put in back then, but actually I overdid it and the result was too much for many listeners.
In 2026 I just thow a vox track onto someone else's clever backing and it's all so easy, it's more of a 'thowaway' experience. This is probably why I make so many uploads unlike wikiloopers who work on their craft for much longer.
I still have lyrics to offer but I'm not sure people want clever or poetic lyrics when a simple "Hey, yeah" will do :)
Just a little 'feeling sorry for myself' note for my diary today.
Every so often I get stuck in a 'looping' pattern of download, remix, upload, listen, delete and repeat. It's a lack of confidence on my part, but also a feeling that I don't want to make any followers feel obliged to listen to me yet again when I'm not even liking my own adds. I know it doesn't matter and I'm just here to collaborate and enjoy the place but all I can do is add a vocal now and it's taking more and more attempts to get the sound I'm after.
I seem to be looking back to 2012 or 2022 which were successful years when I was rolling out song after song and feeling happy with them all. Going back even further to productions (pre 2009) makes me realise how much time and effort I put in back then, but actually I overdid it and the result was too much for many listeners.
In 2026 I just thow a vox track onto someone else's clever backing and it's all so easy, it's more of a 'thowaway' experience. This is probably why I make so many uploads unlike wikiloopers who work on their craft for much longer.
I still have lyrics to offer but I'm not sure people want clever or poetic lyrics when a simple "Hey, yeah" will do :)
Never give up your natural intelligence.;)
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Creativity is contagious, keep it looping on Wikiloops!
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Sunday 21st June.... not my favourite day because I know the nights will be getting longer and darker from now on.
Today I wrote a bunch of lyrics that just need a simple tuneful backing but it seems that everyone is 'too good' lately. Great mixes are being uploaded, but they are quite difficult to sing over. I suppose I could dig out my old keyboards and press an autoplay but I don't like doing this because it sounds so fake.
The best thing about wikiloops at the start was the number of 'simple' unlugged backing tracks to choose from. Now so many musicians are finishing their own templates, no problem with that except it takes away the fun of naive jamming.
I've been enjoying the World cup and I'm delighted that my chosen team, Japan are doing OK. I also like to see the little teams trying so hard for their loyal fans who are dancing and singing, painting their faces and having the time of their lives.
Today I wrote a bunch of lyrics that just need a simple tuneful backing but it seems that everyone is 'too good' lately. Great mixes are being uploaded, but they are quite difficult to sing over. I suppose I could dig out my old keyboards and press an autoplay but I don't like doing this because it sounds so fake.
The best thing about wikiloops at the start was the number of 'simple' unlugged backing tracks to choose from. Now so many musicians are finishing their own templates, no problem with that except it takes away the fun of naive jamming.
I've been enjoying the World cup and I'm delighted that my chosen team, Japan are doing OK. I also like to see the little teams trying so hard for their loyal fans who are dancing and singing, painting their faces and having the time of their lives.
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Being retired and living in the Pacific time zone, I've watched most games. This year's World Cup schedule is the perfect setup for a football fanatic like me. The live games have been evenly spaced each day, with no early or late-night kickoffs, and there's even time between games for music and everyday stuff. How lucky can one guy get?:o 😄 My hope always is that England will make the final, but there are so many great teams and individual players that making it to the final, as always, is no easy task; it can change with a single mistake or one tiny bit of luck. I always have a soft spot for the underdog teams, but I always admire greatness from traditional favorites like Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. I love to watch the anthems at the beginning of each game and close-up pictures of fan reactions after goals and near misses. It's all a part of the beautiful game.
[img]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HKjgG59XoAAKD1M.jpg[/img]
[img]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HKjgG59XoAAKD1M.jpg[/img]
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