Simon Mayo's R2 stand-in (an Irish fella) introduced John Lennon's "Mind Games" as a song that reminds him of the Muppets' "Am I a Man or a Puppet" - I couldn't quite see the connection. 

YESTERDAY: I was touching up the paintwork on my summerhouse when I heard Paul McCartney singing "Every Day" (or is it "Every Night") on the "Sounds of the 70s" R2 programme. Nice song, haven't heard it in ages.

TODAY: Terry Jones is campaigning to restore the fortunes of his hometown, Colwyn Bay.  He recalled the acts that played at the local theatre in its heyday including a "singing troupe featuring Jack Lennon, John Lennon's grandfather".  Sometimes, even I can't believe the  places you stumble across a Beatle (Times, p21).

Twist and Shout - is the title of an article in Pat's Total Film mag (p14).  Nothing to do with the Beatles - in fact it's about a disaster movie - but it does bring to mind a certain song.

Mike Hawker, songwriter with many hits to his name, recently died.  The Times obituary (p54) mentions Dusty Springfield's success with his song "I only want to be with you" ... "She also became the second UK artist after the Beatles to chart in America as part of the British Invasion"

I did watch the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony - but had the sound off for some of it (because I was on the phone).  So I missed, what was reported into today's paper that, Susan Boyle sung "Mull of Kintyre"

"A pine tree planted in LA 10 years ago in memory of George Harrison has died after an insect infestation" (Times, p13). 

I'm pleased to say that the tree, Mike's mum (Rachel) planted at their home on 12 Castle Street to celebrate his birth, is alive and well.  I made a point of checking it today because it's the eve of his birthday - so the tree will be 68 years old.  It was only when I got back home that I read about George's. 

A little piece in Times2 (p2) about the health impact of loneliness and isolation extols the virtues of shared human experiences ..."It is not just the thrill of seeing, say, Paul McCartney in the flesh; it is also that indescribable, but very human sense of sharing the beat with thousands of others". Hear! Hear!