"If it sounds simple it's because we are good at it" (J Wexler Esq 5/8/09)

T'rific opening line from Monsieur Wexler with reference to the Boy's Song (someone one day will tell me the actual title of the Russian/German ditty). And, of course, it could just as readily be applied to all Rudsambee performances, except for the Girl's Song (Timid Girl by Tormis) which sounded "poo" (C Warden 5/8/09).

So we began last night with a jolly version of Row, row, row your boat led by Claire 2...with actions...and sound effects. In fact the whole exercise confirmed only one thing for this blogstress, a fact learned in primary school - boys are rubbish at things. Actually our gentlemen redeemed themselves with some excellent performances for the rest of the evening, which perhaps confirms that they are just more rubbish at doing ridiculous action songs than girls...which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

We spent quite a bit of time on our African songs last night which are really begining to sound quite good. Now the Soweto Choir we ain't but even so...For the first song Sebastian leads us and so we just have to follow him; for the second the whole choir follow the sops which is a very dangerous thing to do especially as this blogstress made up half the lyrics. Kay and I also get to set the pace which is a bit of a responsibility.

After our friends in York performed Dindirin in its original Spanish/French/who knows/a bit of a mixture, Rudsambee (not to be outdone) decided we would give it a go. Actually it sounded rather good but not good enough to avoid the customary language discussion (Jen and I found a comfy seat on the couch and had a snooze at this point). In the end we were treated to a Sonny and Cher performance by Anne and John so if you want to know about pronunciation for this, ask them.

"Half past nine, half past nine, hang your knickers on the line". Advice there from Kay who apparently said that little rhyme all the time as a child. The mind boggles. The mind was equally boggled by Chris' suggestion that after the wedding on Saturday (don't panic happy couple, I am coming to that), something is happening on Corstorphine Hill. As Jen lives in the vicinity of that peak (sorry, 'peak' is a bit much, 'mound' might be better) anything could be happening up there. Attend at your peril.

We also, of course, spent a bit of time on Sfogava which is sounding...better than last week. So Saturday is the wedding and the Rudsambee-lets are all ready to go. The priest apparently doesn't know any bride that has ever been on time (actually I baulk that trend, arriving early for my wedding and that in spite of the rugby being on the telly) so we have to bring all our current music just in case. Bride, if you are 20 minutes late or more, your poor guests may well be treated to a round of Kanarbik or something really inappropriate like Dindirin which speaks of a doomed love affair, so I would make haste if I were you.

That's all for tonight. Just to bring you up to date with the rubbish crisis, my bins have now been emptied and I smiled at the bin man this morning, half because the weather is beautiful and it is dificult not to smile under blue skies, and half due to the relief of finally being able to remove a pizza box from my kitchen that has be sitting rather forlornly on my side for a week as I was unable to squeeze anything else into the 'bucket', as the Scots would say.

Until next time
CSW