Welcome to the January '26 diary

A new year, a new Wikiloops diary thread - so welcome to January '26 everyone :)

As the new year had turned, and the fireworks died down a little, I saw two really nice concerts on TV. First was Simply Red in Santiago:

[youtube]qHgrmm8R0kQ[/youtube]

And after that, they showed Sade in San Diego (found only a playlist link):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2u2eqerRks&list=PLRkE5-eyt9iWFVrxyXFijtavfv0KPr8sa

Both bands had terrific bass players; in fact the whole bands were really good - I'll be an eternal amateur compared to these guys... ;)

Anyway, write about your own things here, happy to read about them :)

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Dear diary, that will be an outstanding year 2026!

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I was pleased to see that the Diary still lives, thank you wjl. I have been away for some time during which I was quite ill (recovering now) The time came to renew my subscription but I felt it was unnecessary because I wouldn't take advantage of all the extra benefits. I'm really not a jammer. Lately my only contribution has been the odd vocal add or a Forum post.... and of course commenting on other peoples great productions. Once again I'd like to thank people who wanted me to come back 'home' <3

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Hey Shamika! You're finally back! We were starting to miss you! Playing music for miles without taking breaks to stretch our brains isn't sensible and can lead to accidents. Your brain exercises contribute greatly to that. Thanks!

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Monday 5th Jan 2026

I was thinking of things we all used back in the day that are hardly used now.
I never use a phone box and rarely use a post box.
I don't have a Milkman deliver milk to my door step.
No need to write cheques and bank books are not popular
I have no way to play CDs or cassettes
I don't take photos that have to be developed at a shop
My dictionary and encyclopedia are rarely used
I always use Google Maps or Satnav so I don't need an Atlas or Street guide.

Things are disappearing from our lives constantly and with them go some great nostalgic memories of a simpler life. I took this photo of a disused post box near my home.... I think it's rather beautiful in a way :)

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Shamika attached the following image:

The previous post immediately reminded me of how phone booths always smelled like piss. It's funny how even that can make me feel good, because it's a memory from my youth 😂


I'm starting to hate this day. I noticed on Christmas that my hair isn't growing properly. I decided years ago that I wouldn't start covering my bald spots with a few hair, so I have to cut everything away.

Well... Crying doesn't help, I guess I just feel old because I have to cut my hair. Maybe this goes into the same category as lost things that used to be 😂

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Shamika got me thinking of the maps and guides when GPS and other 'mapping' services weren't around. I used to deliver pizza's (when I was in college) in Los Angeles area and had to carry around a Thomas Guide because there were no Google maps...it was definitely a task, but after a while, I knew the delivery area quite well :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Guide

Before cell phones, I remember those rotary phones and a phone was typically located in the kitchen/living room, rarely was a phone in a bedroom, it was more in a public area, hence, privacy on the phone wasn't really a thing :)

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So, the 5th day of 2026 and I haven`t wikilooped yet.

Still in a reflective mood after a festive season that ended a bad and sad year.

But as I treated myself to some new toys, I hate to see them just stacked in a corner so over the next few days I`ll hopefully setup the new computer (yes, I did finally make the switch to apple) and get all the hardware and software stuff integrated.

The surprise gift was a Roland Jazz Master that will go between the keyboards and the mixer.

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@Aito yes, the hair issue for men is a tough one. I am lucky that I have much more hair than many at my age, but even I started to get a bald spot at the back of my head about 15 years ago and it is sloooowly growing. The attached picture shows the back of my head in 2009 when it was discovered :O ... but I never thought to get a hair transplant in Turkey, which is very popular with men in europe I heard.

I do get it though. I have had long hair since I was 16, and other than 3 years it was always very long. So I started to wonder lately how it would look when I can't have it anymore. It would be strange. Maybe to compensate I will grow a long white Santa claus type beard... we will see. One of my favorite songs of all times is "Almost cut my hair" by Crosby stills nash + Young.

Anyway, talking about this subject made me think of a cool Wikiloops track about hair loss the Herring King Band members did a few years ago. The pain can be felt in the music for sure.

https://www.wikiloops.com/backingtrack-jam-95849

[wl]95849[/wl]

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TeeGee attached the following image:

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Edited by TeeGee on 6 gennaio 2026 alle ore 09:05

Re the hair loss posts... Ha-ha, This is when I'm glad I'm not a man, however I do find a close cropped or completely bald head has appeal in a masculine way :)

Tuesday 6th Jan.

Now I don't usually take an interest in new technology but on the News today they were reviewing the CES exhibition in LA and my ears pricked up when I heard about an inovation in LEGO. It's called a Smart Brick and it adds interaction using microchips that make LEGO more real. You can get sounds and lights that match what you build. "A purring cat" "An engine sound" "A flushing toilet" [img]https://swikblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/lego-smart-brick-feature-200kb-683x1024.jpg[/img]

I don't know if any wikiloopers are into LEGO (many adults are) but going back to my nostalgic post yesterday I feel sad that such an innocent little building system has gone 'high tech'
It makes me wonder what the next beloved toy and childhood memory will be corrupted in the name of progress!

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I see what you are saying about the LEGO, I was heavily into it as a child, and so were my children (mainly the boys, our princess was more into dolls though). Anyway, I remember how thrilled I was when I got my first Lego motor with batteries, wow it was so cool and I could build cars and also use a rubber band to power stuff. So this was in the late 60ies early 70ies, and I guess for that time it was high tech. Did it ruin it? I am not sure it did. I guess there will be progress with toys as we progress.

As long as it keeps the children away from the ipads I am all for it.

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TeeGee attached the following image:

Re Lego: our daughter just finished building one of her birthday presents, hasn't hung it yet tho...

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wjl attached the following image:

The Wave of Kanagawa, very successful! :W:)

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I have a set of cushions with this and similar images. I didn't realise they had so much meaning,
Apparently, The Great Wave off Kanagawa symbolizes the overwhelming power of nature versus human fragility, using a giant, claw-like wave about to crash over tiny fishing boats, contrasting the transient struggle of humanity with the enduring, sacred presence of Mount Fuji in the background, representing life's impermanence, chaos, and hope amidst turmoil. Created by Katsushika Hokusai (c. 1830s) as part of his 36 Views of Mount Fuji series, it's a powerful depiction of nature's beauty, danger, and Japan's relationship with the sea, blending Japanese art with European perspective.

It just makes me love Japan's culture, art and philosophies even more. <3

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Yes ageing takes its toll. A lot of us here are... older? Hair loss, a reminder. Toys gone AI... progress? It can and does get worse, yet hopefully some "advances" may ease our mental or physical pain and allow us to "play on"... for a while.

I'll be out of action for a while from the 19th of this month. Having a hip "replaced". It's a brutal procedure, however so much better than what it was only a few years ago. I'll be 80 this year, so it's also one of those "expected" sorts of age related breakdowns.

So there's the mix of poor me... I'm old! and I'm lucky as it's possible (with a major disruption?) to keep doing all the stuff I love for a while longer.

All we have in life is time.

For me it's good to spend that time being here and celebrating making music together.

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good luck with the replacement Wade, wishing you well and a speedy recovery <3

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Les amis de longue date échappent au temps, tant qu'on les tient près de soi. Merci pour tous tes messages bienveillants!

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Merci mon ami et compatriote.

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Wow I wish you a fast recovery! Yes it's not as bad as before, my wife and brother in law had it done, it's genetics with their family. You will be up and running in no time! Brother in law was walking (against doctors recommendations I have to add) 2 km after 2 or three days after the operation :O . So good luck, and if I am not wrong blowing into a wind instrument can be done sitting anyway, so I expect to hear you soon :P

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I can blow it indeed, I just hope the surgeon doesn't blow it... Ha! Cheers TeeGee

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