Throwing myself into edit mode today, made a start yesterday so will crack on and do as many as I can to get the project completed.

A fun day in the studio. Moved a few things around and it's lovely and slick now, or at least getting there. Dunno how it will trim down for live transport but lookin' forward to some gigging and a new level of improv.

Good meal out but very slow delivery. Had to leave as Pat due to work and I went too, didn't feel in the mood for more drink and hanging around. Getting to be an old bore. Came home and read a book and listened to a bit of music, so much for the christmas spirit eh?

Pat had an evening of stress and more deaths at work, I spent it getting high and polishing my "season_finale" tune, which I like. Also played Mariocart and was still shite (really don't think buying more games or a fecking x-box is a good idea) and watched some pointless telly.

Think I have the last CSI track done, assuming the last 4 were OK and I polish this one a bit. Could mean a weekend of editing and diligence or aimless noodling, haven't decided.

Did pretty much sod all today. So there.

Well well, good response to CD, which makes a pleasant change. Alas, they still have composers coming out of their ears but have passed me on. We'll see if owt comes of it. In the meantime I have completed to new tracks, not sure either fit the brief but there you go.

Lots of snow still. No new Cirklon OS for a bit, hoping for something soon. I've started to rethink how I intend to use it, which is to put more emphasis on the live/improvisational angle and less on attempting to do complete, finished, repeatable songs. It can't be Logic so why not let it be its own thing?

Managed another track yesterday, I think, taking the total to 19 I think. Also knocked up a strange little idea for a track that, stoned, I posed on Soundcloud. Listening back it definitely has potential but needs work to "normalise" it - and I don't mean mess with the levels!

Wednesday, where am I? I think I have 18 tracks for the CSI project, two more to go. Did one today but it's rather odd - a jolly/sad tune featuring synth solos and human beatbox. When will I learn! One for the archive.

Boiler all done yesterday, very good job too - phew! Still awaiting new Cirklon updates and have started reading "Glass Bead Game". Hesse always makes me think. He also has that quality that makes me believe he thinks like me, or a grown-up, intelligent version of me anyway.

Drinking Crabbies while Pat watches some horses bouncing up and down like they'd on a trampoline or something. Shame I struggle to read small text in anything other than natural daylight. Eyes going. Following the brain.

Sent CDs to Warren and Chris. Can't say I expect any reply but I sent all the current stuff, again sticking to one theme on Paul's advice.

Well well, boiler guy didn't bother to ring or turn up. Quel surprise! Glad we didn't pay yet cos that always focuses their attention. Synth went back, didn't really get chance to program it as much as I wanted. Can't afford it anyway so no worries.

Started a new track, made quite a lot of progress with it.

Castle party was fab, as always. More rooms, great bands, missed Judson though, I seemed to get into chat mode early. The stars were amazing (acid helped) and I timed everything well so I was straight by early afternoon ready for home. Must make more effort to get out next year.

Achieved almost nothing yesterday (and hey presto I'm blogging again), revised that last paragraph so I was happy(ish) with it, played with Cirklon and updated my Eventide stompboxes. I can now name patches, which for means for the first time I'm saving Pitchfactor patches. Getting a lot more out of it and have even placed it on the floor. Created this shimmering chorus/delay on it that makes *everything* sound fab and lush. It's currently on the V-Synth but spent time making the Virus and Ultranova sound incredible too.

Thaw continues, looking good for castle. Must contact Tony and make sure it's OK to bring Synthi for mods.

Hmm, seems I've been busy cos no blogs. Review done, did a very quick Wally update for John, what else? No idea. Castle this weekend, weather permitting.

Can I buy the nice new toy? Going back on Monday alas, so a few days to knock up more cool patches.

Good day. Just shows the new wise saying has to go in. If you have to do something, do it graciously. The good vibes led to a good evening's writing, very happy with the review now and my insights and general style. More polish tomorrow but its back is broken, it's done.

Did horse stuff all day and saw mum too. Now I'm on the Bushmills and feeling pretty happy with myself. Will sell Microsampler to Tim if he wants it.

:(

Double blow today, realised Pat's away tomorrow which means I'm on horse duty BUT she's not working at night, which rather screws my planned review time. And this afternoon, just as I start to enjoy a bong and drink, it turns out I'm on horse duty today too. I should get a little time to work on review later, when I get back from horse and before Pat gets home from work, but... moan, moan etc. Ah, now I know what value this blog has!

If you have to do something, do it gracefully. That dear old adage.

Colin has done a few nice tweaks including the track mute visibility via lower LED that I wanted. It really works too, hoping he'll reduce the glow of it a bit.

Ah well, I have an hour to work on a track. Had wanted more but... gracefully Paul, gracefully.

LATER:

Do good shit, my first wise saying. It actually works. Has real practical benefit, I mean. I did the horse. I did it properly and cheerfully, then I came home and the review just flowed. All the stilted sentences (the ones you start with after writing up notes) becoming proper, linked and flowing paragraphs that logically progress through the synth as the article fills your head. You can even sort out the duplicates and spot the omissions. Do good shit. The bong possibly helped too. :)

New track went down well, I'm relieved. Should learn to trust myself more. Did very little today except wait while the boiler was installed. It now is and we're warm again, if poorer.

May work on something this evening, no Cirklon update yet, or may just lounge in front of the telly drinking. A very hot curry is on the cards, certainly.

Review now needs the kind of polish and slickifying that a good wodge of special shortbread usually supplies.

Note to self, advertise that Metasonix pedal, swap for a Prophecy would be nice. Prophecy would be a nice controller for the Minimax.

Feck

Now I remember the joys of a well-paid job - new boiler needed, a snip at £1800.

Arseburgers.

Left review stewing in my mind for the afternoon after verifying that NRPNs are sent. Worked on track "prints" instead, think it's worth letting Paul hear. Lots of Morphestra, not sure I feel emotionally engaged with it but still...

Paul likes, I'm relieved and have wazzed over.

Snowing, the boiler won't work (again) and I'm back downstairs writing. At least I'm getting a lot of the Ultranova review written up; don't think there's anything I don't understand about it now.

Cirklon can now load its OS from card, bootloader update went well and I think Colin is coding today. We need to think about better introductions to the new testers coming on board as all have varying levels of experience and varying plans for what they want to do. Colin's gonna add USB soft-thru I think, clever fellow. Looking forward to getting CV board installed but mostly looking forward to him getting back to the core stuff.

Got castle ticket today - just hope the snow will let us all get there! Must get a costume sorted...