Pip - emailed you back. I got the weird metronome thing up and running, so far just on a straight single quarter note beat and using the acoustic bass drum I think it is - will experiment with different beats, thinking I should try to match the strumming pattern is that logical?

Would love a seat on the bus - even if only a virtual one :0). I am getting the feeling the bus is going to look like the scene in Almost Famous where they all sing Tiny Dancer hee hee.

burly - will try to just get the notes right before I delve into effects but thanks for the tips.

scoobydazzy - the vid looked pretty cool to me, wish I could play like that, what about a Satch number?

Do The Stu - at this stage indications are that the "main" big fire might have been caused by a set of power transmission lines coming down in the fierce hot winds into a paddock but nobody will know until the investigation is completed. Other fires may or may not have been deliberately lit, we also have to wait for the investigation. A new Authority has been set up to do that specifically. The towns were actually cordoned off as police investigation areas so the residents could not return for quite a while and only with identification wristbands and escorted by police. I think they all want to get on with trying to get back to normal and begin rebuilding so it is hard on them.

Well, now I'm kinda worried....

Went to the video store tonight to rent a movie for tomorrow....I picked up the new movie called "Quarantine" and took it up to the counter....

The young man who rang me up picked up the movie and stopped dead....he looked at me and in all seriousness said..

"I hope you're not planning on watching this alone?"

I was like.....noooooooo, my 87 year old mother is going to watch it with me....will she be enough protection??

He sez...."All I can say is...DONT watch it alone...it's the scariest movie I've ever seen." Then he sez..."Are you watching it at NIGHT?"

I sez no....during the daytime and I promised to sit next to my mum for the movie. He just shook his head, gave me a pitying look and rang me up. As I went to leave he said..."I watched this with 4 other friends and even that wasn't enough."

I might not sleep tonight in fear of what we're gonna see tomorrow....

Yay! My sister is home safe and sound and doing pretty damn good! I thought she'd be all tore up, but it just looked like her hair was a bit messy...until closer inspection. lol! When you part her hair her head looks like one of those feckin' Chucky dolls with a big stitched up gash going up the side. lol! They hardly shaved any of her hair. Just enough to do their work - I'd say about an inch wide strip if that. If nobody beats me to it, I'll go over tomorrow and help her wash her hair without getting her wound wet. It smells like hospital. ugh! She has to have somebody with her for the next 48 hours, so we're all taking turns. She's getting a bit of a shiner under her right eye, but that just adds to her beauty. lol!

OH, when I walked into her house, she was sitting on her sofa reading all of YOUR comments wishing her well. I printed them all out and had them at her house for when she got home. She really appreciates everything you guys have done for her. She got a big kick out of seeing Joe's name on there too!

You guys rock!

Geez Mike, that sucks pretty bad. Hopefully he'll come through with flying colors. Best wishes to him for a good recovery and strength for him and the family. Poor dude. I'll say a prayer for him tonight.

T, E even said she would never watch that movie. You best hold on to yer June Bug pretty tight! lol! Got yer email. To tired to reply tonight.

mikesb - so sorry to read your post, hope he is OK after the surgery. More positive vibes from Australia for him.

maritime - sounds like you may be a new man :0). How good to be able to play guitar it must be so therapeutic for the soul.

Michelle: from now on I hope your sister has a good and fast recovery...