Hot stuff

 Sent in my planning objection letter but don't feel great about it. There's no doubt these companies have done these things many times before, each time having a series of stages they automatically shift through, token concessions that are intended to wear out objectors. Paul across the road is rebuilding his drains at the moment - a common thing round here. I blocked part of ours this morning with wire wool but when we do our dig-out and pipe fix, will concrete around the manhole cover. Prospect of all that work not filling me with joy.

Have written off Sainsbury's for most things now - butter has leapt from £1.75 to £2.15, sushi from £5.35 to £6.00. Aldi even have a Desperados lookalike - Bandido. Slightly cheaper and tastes so close I couldn't tell the difference after a few mouthfuls. 

Saturday, hot and trying to summon motivation to do something. Attic not actually unbearable but I don't think I'll be going up there. Maybe do a bit more writing or some painting, been meaning to grid up that black canvas. 

Sunday and another afternoon of writing. It's flowing very well now the end is nigh and I have pretty much all of it in my mind, or at least the outline. Some things will just happen, as usual, but there aren't any difficulties left (famous last words). Lots of short episodes keeping it snappy too, must remember to go back and add a dash more description here and there. 

Tuesday apparently. I seem to have missed Monday this week but never mind. With Tim's help pulled up half the decking and had some good news - the hole next to the drain does not go through to the drain itself - so the debris I've seen doesn't appear related. Not going to try anything other than filling the hole - so no pipe digging and replacement right now. If it's needed in the future then fine. 

Wednesday, another good one - we got the rest of the decking away, Tim a star with a crowbar. Clear plan ahead and good vibes. Sunny, beer, smokes, Tim dropped the lovely bong. Heh. 

Thursday Tony and I attempted a half-hearted walk in the Place Where Rain Lives (Ingleborough). Clagged in, we quite early and came home. 

Friday I did a thing that I spoilt at mixdown by adding OT drums/loops. Can fix though. Saturday was a good Headshock sesh (Vindalonda) with both mixes good enough to use. Having the GR-1 there takes us different places than the Mellotron, plus putting the Microfreak through the RC-505-ii lets me try out a few solo bits before committing to recording. Everything working nicely, although I seem short of one MIDI thru in the area. Will have a think about that. 

Sunday I plan to finish taking down the shed and next week is fixing hols in concrete, sorting proper drain covers and doorsetp, ordering skip and cutting those pieces of decking into suitable chunks. How splendid!

Seize her, August, us.

 Yeah well, it's Wednesday and I've been testing the latest Super 6 firmware. Some good progress and some old gripes still in place but, my, this is a fantastic synth. I can just sit and play it and nothing else matters. Could easily do a gig of it with, say, only some kind of looper to fill with lush guff. Colin and Tony here tomorrow. 

Now a bit stoned and gonna do some novel stuff as the ideas that have been ruminating need writing down. Onwards pardners!

Cambridge was nice, food and company excellent. Will see about growing some blue meanies as they provided a pleasant buzz on Saturday night. FOPP is in Cambridge (owned by HMV) so got some books and CDs. 

Back to normal now, hot though so probably not much studio action. RC-505-ii has a nice update fixing a lot of bugs so fingers crossed it sorts mine. Sent my Blofeld off with Tony to sort the dicky switch. May walk this week if we can find somewhere we won't melt. 

Friday, too hot to do a lot. Did some novel stuff, getting where I'm skirting around the various end chapters now, may start several at once. Anyway, progressing nicely. Too hot for studio so trying water pipe thing and listening to random stuff, including Archive 81, that thing I did recently but haven't listened to much. Anyway, I like it. Wrote my letter to the council this morning, Pat printing for final checks before we send in. Been trying to grasp SuDS. 

Hmm, Friday afternoon and the smokey writing has borne fruit. Is that E correct? 

July, July, Time Doth It Fly

 Yeah, another month races to a damp conclusion. We had our two day heat wave and somehow survived. Had a short heavy rainstorm and watched the drains fill rapidly and now we're in a kind of limbo waiting for Synth DIY to come and go so I can begin digging up the decking and seeing what's beneath. Definite signs of rattage still, which is too close to the house for comfort.

I've been struggling with this weird cold Pat brought back from down south. Did almost nothing yesterday and feel pretty lethargic today. With Tony away, hopefully Tim and I will get out somewhere local this week. What else? The novel is up to the point I need to write the big final chapters but I feel like I'm holding back so maybe some pieces aren't quite settled in my head yet. I have to maybe start writing anyway and be prepared to ditch it as the ideas sometimes clarify after I've written them out. 

Still getting the occasional stabbing pain in my ankles first thing in the morning. 

Twas a good musical day, did three versions of same track

Martin in hospital - don't know what's up yet, thought he'd been quiet. 

Saturday afternoon still no word from Martin. Bit of a loose end but had a nice time playing piano. Was gonna tackle MPC but defeated after a couple of aborted attempts to do something.Thought I'd made a kinda starter project somewhere but buggered if I can find it. I'm actually starting to miss the simplicity and functionality of the Mac sat unused in the other room. Anyway, might do some writing.  

Read the Audion interview and review of the Plau recording. Came out OK, which is a relief as I was never sure they liked me very much. Andy G wrote a very nice intro which made me feel rather good as Andy was there right at the start, helping get everyone going with their music collections from his place at Lotus Records.  Anyway, https://audion1.bandcamp.com/album/audion-70-multimedia

Oops it's August now. Colin and Tony coming in a few days so probably no time to scrawl these diary entries. Just hope I have enough weed!  Then it's a long drive to Cambridge, beer, curry and nonsense, such larks.