I have fallen in with an engaging crowd that regularly sees bands around London - usually small Americana outfits at characterful venues like Bush Hall and Dingwalls.

Towards the end of last year I attended a Goose gig at the Electric Ballroom in Camden. They presented admirably tuneful indie songs, laced with sprawling virtuoso guitar solos - the ghosts of the Grateful Dead.

The audience was for the most part young, knowledgeable, enthusiastic. The five of us stood towards the back, near the bar – nodding heads and making occasionally insightful observations.

Mid-way through the concert a tee-shirted American man in his thirties turned round and addressed us, with open smile and outstretched arms:

‘I just think this is fantastic. You guys, at your time of life, still getting out to see bands. Can I buy you a beer?’

We were insulted and delighted at the same time.

‘That’s very kind of you. I’ll have a pint of IPA please.’

As a senior citizen with more time on my hands nowadays, I go out in the evenings a good deal.

I have noticed that, as my theatre appointment, gig rendezvous or gallery reservation approaches, a fog of lethargy falls over me. I’ve been enjoying the comforts of home, the reassurance of a newspaper and a mug of sweet tea. Do I really want to brave the cold night air; to jump on a crowded tube; to conjure up conversation?

A kind of paralysis sets in.

'The heights charm us, but the steps do not; with the mountain in our view we love to walk the plains.'
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Then, eventually, propelled by guilt, self-censure and the fear of missing out, I don my artisanal jacket and make my way for the door. And I have consistently found that my languor and listlessness were unjustified. More often than not, my night on the town delivers.

Whilst I never want to go out, I’m always glad I did.

'Nothing happens until something moves.'
Albert Einstein

This phenomenon may be familiar to us in the world of work. Sometimes we get caught up in the inertia of established practices. We cling to the familiar and accustomed, postponing and prevaricating whenever a difficult decision is required. We find excuses not to try new things

And yet I have learned, in the course of my career, that whilst I never wanted to change, I was always glad I did.

'The reason men oppose progress is not that they hate progress, but that they love inertia.'
Elbert Hubbard

The tee-shirted American was true to his word and bought us each a beer. He also took a photo of us at the bar. On inspection, it’s fair to say we did look like an outing from the old people’s home.

To see ourselves as others see us…

 
'So my time will come
When I have the right mind.
Rid my mind of this hesitation,
Can't think why.
All I need is coming though.
It's not here quite yet.
Here I have seen the same thing,
Pretend not to mind it.
I'd like to be closer to me,
Or who I think I want to be.
Things change but you don't realize
You have all you need.’

Goose, ‘All I Need’ (R L Mitarotonda)

No. 452