In between completing The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey and beginning Jimmy's new adventures in the skies, I am also working on a memoir 'Consorting with the Enemy'.
I wanted to include the following humorous anecdote but could not fit it in - worth recording? What do you think???
The most expensive battery recharge EVER .
One very cold winter’s morning, many years ago, my first car, a Mark I Cortina, refused to start. I rang into work to advise my boss about the situation and apologised that I was going to be an hour or two late.
Not a problem as I had a battery charger. Because the garage had no power and was twenty yards away across a busy road, I had to disconnect the battery to carry it into the house to get some charge into it.
Suitable spanners in hand I began the task of loosening the retaining nuts/bolts. Unfortunately, they were immovable. Not to worry ‘cos I had a can of WD40. Sprayed the nuts and left to soak for a few minutes. Returned to complete the job. Still a bit stiff so employed a bit of oomph! Not a good idea as the battery terminal sheared off. The other terminal disconnected easily.
Purchased new battery at Halfords. I was assured the new battery had a bit of charge in it, sufficient to get a vehicle to start up. Got it home, reconnected the connectors, turned on the ignition and after the first whirrrrrrr ... nothing. Disconnected again and carried battery over the road to home to put on charge for an hour or so. Telephoned boss and explained further delay.
Two hours later with the battery now charged and reconnected, turned on the ignition and the engine fired and swung into life. Success!
Got out to retrieve tools and drop the bonnet. Just as I closed the car door there was an enormous clashing sound over the noise of the still-running engine. What the hell???
At first, I couldn’t work it out. Where were my spanners? Found them on the ground under the front of the engine. As I reached under the bumper I felt water dripping onto the back of my hand. I retrieved the spanners and searched for the leak. I wondered about switching the engine off, but would it start again? Then I spotted where the water was coming from. There was a hole in the back of the radiator. So, I switched the engine off. Only then did I spot the damage to the fan blade. There was a chunk of metal missing from its leading edge.
The vibrating engine block had dislodged the spanners from the top of the radiator. They had dropped down onto the rotating fan. One of the spanners had hit the fan and was projected at force into the radiator.
I telephoned my boss again. His response was, “Come and see me in a day or two’s time when you get things sorted.”
So, after buying a new battery, having the car recovered to a garage, it was fitted with a new radiator and fan. I collected it two days later and was operational again.
“Another time,” my boss said, “please call out the AA.”
I never again tried to repair a car.
That’s a lie!
About twenty years later my wife’s Citroen Vantage needed an oil change. It wasn’t worth paying for a service because she had put on such low mileage. “I’ll do it,” I confidently offered. “It won’t need a new oil filter so I’ve just got to drain the old oil and fill up with whatever’s recommended in the handbook”.
Following the handbook, I got under the car and drained from the oil from the sump plug. I was a bit surprised that I didn’t need all the containers I had assembled in readiness. Then got the gold spot oil I had bought and poured it into the oil filler cap. It overflowed rather quicker than I thought and I wondered why I hadn’t used all the oil I’d purchased.
Job done!
Next day Pat made a short journey to the shops in town. When she returned she complained it was making some strange noises. I drove it around the block to see if I could identify the problem. There was a definite graunching sound. I had no option but to call the local garage for assistance. Next day the mechanic returned the car and reported the car gearbox had been almost dry. He refilled the gearbox and detected no further problems.
When I explained what I had done he burst out laughing. “You didn’t drain the engine, you drained the gearbox. You’ve been very lucky.”
I showed him the handbook. “There’s your problem,” he said. “When you’re under the car the gearbox sump is closer to the front than the engine sump. Shall I change the engine oil for you?”
That is why I’ll attempt to repair anything - except a car.
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An Unplanned Operatic Foray
As a youngster I had a very acceptable soprano voice. After the inevitable voice break had settled down, I was left with a passable tenor tone which was only ever heard in chapel gatherings. They became less frequent as I grew older until, eventually, they were non-existent. My heart and beliefs never changed, and I continue still to live the best life I can outside of the chapel environment.
There came a day, in my late twenties, early thirties when my wife Pat asked me if I would help out her work colleague of many years, in his hour of need. Apparently, Alan, also a a local government officer, was also the part time Musical Director of the local Spennymoor Junior Operatic Society and he was in desperate need of a practice pianist. The previous pianist had just unexpectedly given up. So, I met Alan and explained that while I enjoyed playing piano and organ, I was not at a professional level. Alan assured me that as long as I could play the melody that would be sufficient for the singers to follow the tune, “it’s only for practice,” Alan assured.
And so, for many weeks during the late summer months I attended practices in a school hall in Spennymoor. I struggled to play several passages but Alan loaned me an LP of the film sound track – “You’ll be able to pick it up better once you’ve listened to it a few times.” And it did help, until it came to practicing the choreography. Then much more accuracy was required.
As autumn approached, a few weeks before First Night, I approached Alan and asked when the professional pianist make an appearance for the actual show. “Don’t worry your head about that. He’s a professional just like the rest of the eighteen members of the orchestra. He could turn up at the last minute. open the music and play it perfectly.”
In fact, the musicians were predominantly semi-professional, most had day jobs and played in bands or orchestras during evenings and weekends. They were paid a token fee by the Society to cover expenses. They gave up their time to support the kids. The children’s ages ranged from seven or eight up to eighteen or nineteen.
Dress rehearsals including the full orchestra were planned for Wednesday nights in the Spennymoor Town Hall and the show would start on a Thursday running through Friday and two performances on Saturday: a matinee and the Saturday night.
Sometime during Tuesday Alan got a message to Pat: the pianist could not turn up until Thursday evening. He would be in time for the show, so, could I cover dress rehearsal on Wednesday?. I did not smell a rat.
After dress rehearsal Johnathon, the Producer Director, expressed confidence that this production of The Sound of Music would run smoothly.
Relaxing in the pub afterwards Alan asked, “You are coming to the show, Wallace?”
“Of course I am.”
“Well,“ he continued, “do you have a bow tie” The penny dropped with an enormous thud.
“There is no professional pianist. Is there?”
“Wear a white shirt and a bow tie and you’ll fit in just fine, The other musicians will support you all the way. Nothing to worry about.”
Perhaps they would support me but there was no one there that night in the pub to pick me up off the floor.
Thursday night nerves had almost robbed me of mobility but I turned up as I had promised I would. The musicians gathered in the corridor, just beyond the temporary theatre wings, blowing the smoke from their cigarettes out of the opened window. I could not remember ever having been so nervous in all of my life. One member of the wind section spotted my nervous discomfort and approached me offering a slug from his hip flask. I was not a heavy drinker but the warmth of the whisky going down my throat rapidly spread throughout my body. “Thanks,” I managed. “Take another,” my new ‘friend’ offered and gratefully I accepted.
Within two minutes the orchestra was tuning up with me occupying centre placing in the ‘pits’, giving them the tuning notes they variously called for. Then, silence, followed by applause as Alan took up his elevated position with baton in hand,
The prologue was over before he I realised it. I was in front of house, in centre position, playing the piano with an orchestra before of an audience of approximately three hundred bodies.
I would never claim to be note perfect, but the orchestra masked my occasional missed beat or note. My senses were on overload, in awe of the surrounding orchestral strains.
Show finale, a short speech, final applause and the orchestra broke into the National Anthem. The orchestra did but the pianist didn’t. I could never play a tune by ear. I needed the black notes to be on paper in front of me. My embarrassment was total. I could only sit with my hands by my side, doing nothing. I will never make that same humbling mistake again.
For me the highlight of the whole experience was the last night’s presentation of a steel sculpture, large matchbox size, of a sitting pianist at a stylised piano. It was an unexpected greatly appreciated ‘thank you’ from the Society for my contribution. It remains a highly treasured memento.
There may be another story ot two to come from this association with The Spennymoor Junior Orchestral Society, because two or three years later Johnathon moved on in his endeavours to become a professional Producer Director. Unexpectedly the Society turned to me and pleaded that I become their next Producer.Director: Johnathon was generous in his time and without his tuition I might never have succeeded. There followed happy stressful days which I will never forget. Highs and tearful lows that were richly rewarding.
If there is a message to be passed on to the reader it is: if an opportunity to try something different comes your way do not be afraid to pick up the reins and give it a go. If you put your heart into any new venture the chances are you will succeed and success brings its own rewards, not necessarily measured in monetary terms. New paragraph
New paragraphWhat Audible listeners say about:
Jimmy Crikey's Adventures in the Sky Islands
Average customer ratings Overall 5 out of 5 stars Story 5 Stars x 24 4 Stars x 1
Audible.com reviews Bottom of Form
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
· Performance 5 out of 5 stars
· Story 5 out of 5 stars, One 4 out of 5 stars
John Marks 12-09-22 I enjoyed listening very much.
This audiobook is really very good with its storyline. The narrator did a great job.
· Overall5 out of 5
Shawn Bruce 11-09-22 Fabolous!
This audiobook tells the story of a young boy named Jimmy Crickey. Along the way, Jimmy encounters a colorful cast of characters and stumbles into one unexpected adventure after another. My son loves this book
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Robert Herrick 11-09-22 I fully satisfied.
This is an excellent Young Adult book. Ultimately, it conveys a message of self-love and acceptance which is significantly important at this age group level. It includes a little lady who lives at the bottom of a well, little people, and trolls helping Jimmy learn the greatest lessons of his changing life. Highly recommend.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Victor Bell 09-09-22 Fantastic book!
I love this audiobook with this amazing story. It has everything I needed to listen to. It inspired me a lot.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Basil 09-09-22 Exceptional Story book!
I like this story of Jimmy Crikey very much. It is full of adventure. The performance is great and really brings all the characters alive with their distinctive Southern voices. The story, however, and I feel churlish in admitting this, had me a little bored at times.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Maria Castillo 08-09-22 Easy to listen!
My friend listened to this audiobook twice and request me to listen. I listened and fell in love with Jimmy. The story culminates with beseeching higher powers to intervene and forces of nature that underpin human belief.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
S Davis 08-09-22 Adventure time!
I grabbed this audiobook for my teens. My son always loves to listen to adventure stories. He said this book is as good as Harry Potter.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Ava Laves 06-09-22 One of the best books.
My son enjoyed listening to this book again. He loves the story of Jimmy Crikey. It inspired him and helped him how to be a good leader or fighter.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Elina Gomes 05-09-22 Jimmy encounters a colorful cast of characters.
Jimmy encounters a colorful cast of characters and stumbles into one unexpected adventure after another. I enjoyed listening very much.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Amelie Elenore 04-09-22 Nice story on adventure!
Research has shown over the years that fantasy or magical stories like this excellent story help children think outside the box, and increase their creativity. For that, I grab this for my son. He loves this story.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Isabella Peron 03-09-22 Conveys a Timeless Message!
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to “Jimmy Crikey’s Adventures In the Sky Islands (And Beyond)” by Wallace E Briggs,” who in my opinion has written a fast-paced fantasy adventure exceptionally suitable for children and young adults.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Alvin 02-09-22 Definitely a good listen!
This is the sweetest of books. Jimmy Crikey is all about promoting good moral values. I would recommend this book to fans of novels like the Percy Jackson series and fantasy fiction.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Ambrose 02-09-22 I want the third book of this series.
I always enjoy listening to adventure stories. My friend grab this audiobook and we listened to it together. An excellent listen! I want the third book of this series.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Algernon M. Nishan 31-08-22 I Enjoyed Storytime.
The Adventures Of Jimmy Crikey in the Sky Islands is amazing! It's just a wonderful escape of funny, dark, and addictive. What an utterly beautiful book, quite easily listen to it back to back, again miss this classic at your peril.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Jonathon Parker 31-08-22 This is the adventures audiobook.
My cousin suggests that I listened to this book. It takes me through his journey while jimmy meets many interesting characters. A sweet adventure and magic story!
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Emmett Shear 31-08-22 Fascinating and Interesting!
I love this audiobook. Brigg’s story was apparently born out of a collection of ever-evolving short stories, and in that regard, ‘Jimmy Crikey lays ample groundwork for a continuing adventure. I love it.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Maria R. Clark 31-08-22 I fully impressed!
Jimmy thrives on a sense of adventure and finds the value of human connections. As I followed Jimmy’s journey in the Sky Islands, I was enamored by his experiences. I recommend it to all.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Donald J. Fred 29-08-22 Epic adventures in worlds!
Great book with an inspiring story. Jimmy Crikeys incredible courage allows him to free up his abilities to shine and rise above every challenge in his path. A very good listen for my family.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
S. J. Watson 29-08-22 An exaggerated authenticity!
This is entertaining, unusual, and controversial; the language and narration are novel with a current of humor. The adventures of Jimmy Crikey are fully interesting.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Natasha M. Davis 29-08-22 An absorbing classic tale!
It is an absolute joy to add this to my library as a book to listen to again. Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I had no idea it was so funny.
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Jeremy Nazario 27-08-22 A entertaining fantasy adventure tale .
A wonderfully entertaining fantasy adventure tale for kids and young adults alike. My kids love this book and they want more from Wallace Briggs. Thanks.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Cornelius S. Marsh 27-08-22 Adventurous story!
I love to listen to the adventure story. This book has the amazing story of Jimmy Crikey who saved the underground world. I like it.
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
· Clinton B. Shelly 26-08-22 Nice one!
I enjoyed listening to this story. The author raises topics such as self-love and acceptance in the book - things we don't discuss a lot these days!
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Clifford 26-08-22 I love the story.
This is an audiobook for young mainly, however I think it is suitable for every age. The story would persuade you to believe in magic and to open your eye for the miracles around you. The author raises topics as self-love and acceptance in the book - things we don't discuss a lot these days!
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Clement 26-08-22 Very interesting!
Fascinating story about a young boy in search of new friends and acceptance. The book is all about valuable moral lessons and on the other hand - the prejudice around us when we are different from others. Lovely story!
· Overall 5 out of 5 stars
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