PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS IS A HOBBY, NOT AN OCCUPATION

Before you read on, I need to make one thing straight…..this is not in any way intended to be a rant, a whinge or a moan. It’s just a response to a couple of things that have happened in recent days…

I think without exception, all of the folks whose blogs I enjoy reading the most are in a similar position to myself, in that their sites are written-up and looked after in among loads of other demands on their time, including work and family commitments.

I’m not sure exactly how many hours I spend hunched over the PC trying to think of new or different things to say, but suffice to say there are days and nights when I get some verbal stick from Mrs Villain for my inability to be part of the human race and do something other than ‘blog’. And by that I don’t just mean writing for TVV and reading what other people are saying on their own sites, but there’s a lot of time required to dig out vinyl/CDs and convert them into usable mp3s.

Then there’s the cost.

First of all there’s the acquisition of CDs and records. While I still buy a lot of new stuff, I’m spending more time in second-hand shops and on-line searching for songs from days of old that aren’t readily available and which I want to share with everyone. The amount I’ll spend will vary from month-to-month, but it’s rarely less than £50. But at least I get to own everything that I buy....

It’s not quite the same with the other regular expenditure associated with this blog, namely the hosting of the mp3 files. Now I know there are many different ways to host your files, with most of them being free of charge. But as just about all of these free sites involve annoying ‘pop-ups’ or adverts, not to mention time delays to reach the files, I prefer to use a server that is a little bit quicker and easier to access, albeit I then need to fork out for the privilege given the amount of bandwidth that is consumed. At the moment, fileden get US$40 a month from me…..but I am largely satisfied with the service (after a few teething problems) with it all – especially now that I’m in the habit of putting some of the larger files every month via sharebee, which doesn’t cost anything.

I also know I could get recoup a small amount of my costs by incorporating advertising on TVV, but that’s just something I want to avoid doing. I further know that I could also potentially save some money by accepting some offers from some record companies for free CDs in return for reviews, but given that I’ve now sort of carved out a niche with the my posts being about ‘old’ stuff, I always, without fail, politely decline any such offers. Aside from that, I don’t think I’m the best qualified to comment on how worthy or indifferent a particular CD with some sort of recommendation to others. The stuff written about in TVV by myself and ctel is always going to be about the songs and tunes we like…..and that we want other people to like as well.

By now you might be wondering what it is that has led me to go off on one like this.
I suppose it all stemmed from the way a couple of people have recently sent e-mails or left comments, here and elsewhere, expecting or in one case demanding the reinstatement of an mp3 that was not readily available.

For the most part, I’ll make mp3s available for anything between 5-7 days depending on how heavily the bandwith is being used as I need to ensure, as best as possible, that it never runs out completely. That way, I reckon most folk who are regular visitors to TVV will be able to download and listen to any song if they are interested. I also make it clear, over in the sidebar, that I do accept requests – sometime I’ll re post the songs on the site, but I’ve been known to send back e-mails with the mp3 file attached. And in 99.99% of the cases, the requests that come in are politely put, and while it might take a few days for me to respond, I’ll try and get back to everyone in due course.

But as I’ve hinted at above, some of the e-mails make my blood boil. I do try and give folk the benefit of the doubt – after all, the e-mail will inevitably be in English which may very well not be the author’s first language – but instinctively, I know when someone is just ‘gimme, gimme, gimme…..NOW!!’ And I know it’s just not at TVV it happens - I was browsing through other blogs the other day when I came across a dreadfully demanding comment that led me to suggest to the very polite blogger (hi there Ed of 17 Seconds) that they should have told them where to go....

So I suppose what I’m trying to say to the very small minority of those of you who aren’t so nice:-

mp3 : Frightened Rabbit – Be Less Rude

Oh well, the consolation of this chain of thought is it allows one of my favourite ever singles to be aired once again. Sorry if you only come in for the mp3s and are disappointed to find it’s a repeat..

But its Friday today, so let’s end the week on a happier note.

A big big thanks to everyone who sent in an mp3 and/or idea for songs for Colin’s trip to Paris.

He’s in the city right now, and I hope our collective efforts are making his weekend all the more enjoyable. I’m intending to give a full rundown of what is on his i-pod this coming Sunday.

And an especially big thanks to the Alan and Paul who were very quick off the mark with suggestions and thoughts on how I could get two tickets for either of the Leonard Cohen shows in Glasgow later this year. I’m delighted to say that I have the tickets on order – pretty good seats as well – and aside from making me very happy, its all going to be part of a special gift for Mrs V who celebrates her 50th birthday next week (I’ll say a bit more nearer the time).

I think this shows that in the art or science of blogging, the happy times and occasions will always triumph over those that leave you a bit deflated...

mp3 : Josh Rouse - Wonderful
mp3 : Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 3)

Happy Listening