I know there are a lot of right wing cretins out there who have some sort of religious problem with the FACT (maybe that's the problem, religious people don't deal in facts) that global warming is here big time. Maybe because Moses isn't involved...who knows. It's here, brother. Trust me.

I just moved back to England (for my third and last time) from California and have been here over three months and have not had the occasion to wear anything more than a T-shirt or a regular shirt even in the evening (OK, smartass, of course I wear the rest of the clobber as well)! That NEVER happened back in the 70's...maybe a week or two at the most in the summer...but months on end? Uh-uh. This formerly "cold" country is turning positively temperate!

The winters here are warmer as well...not nearly the snowfall we had back in the 70's...and it looks like the flora and fauna from northern France is creeping up the centre of England...basking sharks are now off the coast of Scotland, where they were never off the coast of the UK at all. Birch trees are marching forward from southern England to the midlands, and on it goes.

I'm just waiting for that critical point when the ice sheets start to let go in a big way and then it will be a disaster that will make the tsunami last year look like a cake walk. I fear for people in low-lying countries and on low-lying coastlines...which covers a pretty big chunk of humanity, all-in-all.

Did someone mention guitars?

Well, speaking of which, I bought a brand-new Chinese-made acoustic on eBay from a shop in Corona, CA for an unbelievable $78...and the workmanship is simply phenomenal...and so is the tone. All the struts and supports are where they should be, it has a solid spruce top and nato sides and back, and a rosewood fretboard. A guitarist friend I will not name played it, and then took out his 70's Martin D something-or-other that's worth about $14,000 and played that....and you know what? There wasn't THAT much difference....very slight. VERY slight. His guitar had a slightly sweeter and richer tone, but for the
difference in money, it was inconsequential. He was just a little disconcerted, I think! The Chinese are making some beautiful guitars.

I went out to the shop to pick it up and they also had a range of Strat copies from the same factory and they certainly LOOKED the business...of course, I don't know about the sound and action, but for $200, they were real beauties. If it looks right, it probably is right...why take the trouble to put something together so perfectly and not complete the deal, you know?

If you're interested, just look up acoustic guitars on the American eBay and look out for the name "Infinity." Incredible value. And if you are an eBay regular, write to me and I'll tell you how to win every auction you enter.