April 2 2008

I did my last day at the office on Friday and had the obligatory leaving drink and presentation which was embarrassing but I was also quite touched as I had not really expected it.A lot of folks turned up and I do feel a tinge of regret as I was there along time and if I had no ambition to do anything else maybe I could have kept on, but I think I would have been barking mad before very much longer. Also I had got used to a fairly maverick way of doing things and me and the corporate culture have got very far apart now. In a sense it allows me to complete the re-invention of self thats been coming for a long time.. Everyone was very nice but many were shocked as I had been working there 13 years and they had assumed that I would be there until I retired I suspect. I told them what I was expecting to do in future and everyone was very positive.

 

 I am sort of in freefall at the moment and I will be trying to make a living from the music side of things for thenext year, but if it doesn’t work out then I will be back in IT in some respect or maybe just filling shelves between gigs. I have a portfolio ofother practicle skills that should get me through one way or the other.I now feel a lot more relaxed.

I am going to take a calculated risk on a new career (though its not really
a new career as its something I have been envolved with for a long time) and
also will take some time to study and improve my skills a bit. I am giving
myself about a year to see if I can support myself as a musician. I don’t
know how realistic that is but I am going to give it a try.I don’t need
a huge income just enough to pay the bills and I Hope that is realistic…

Anyone remember this tune:

It’s a great tune

Nicked from Wikipedia

“Cast Your Fate to the Wind”
written by Vince Guaraldi, was a track on Guaraldi’s album featuring
his versions of music from the film Black Orpheus

It’s me blogg in it alright gorblimey
apples and pears strike a light thank you god bless you govenor

Date Posted: 15th January 2008

 

Current mood: quixotic

January and my Birthday approaches.
I shall be making efforts to ignore it as much as possible in the vain hope
that it will go away, as time seems to be passing very quickly now. I am still
up to the usual rubbish. Its a great relief that Alison is eating again and
is getting back to a more normal weight though she is still a bit wobbly on
her legs, but that’s likely to be the effect of the medication rather than
anything else.

A few Elephant Shelf gigs and some
very enthusiastic receptions too.We are now working on our recordings again.
Its a little tiring trying to fit it all in but we are getting there I think
and we should be able to start selling Cd’s at gigs again at some point in
the future. The Shelf is having its 300th gig party at the Salisbury pub on
Saturday.We have got guest acts and your all invited. Except You because you
have been very naughty

It amazes me that the band has
lasted that long… Still the band that arm wrestles together stays together
as they say.

 

Christmas Problems

 

Mood: Pensive Date Posted: 31st
December 2007 at 10:53 am – Comments (2)

Its not been the best Christmas as Alison has been quite ill with eating problems
and has hardly eaten anything for about 3 weeks.

She has lost quite a lot of weight.
Its a psychological problem and she has had eating problems before but not
anything as bad as this. They have usually affected her for just a couple
of days, though she has never been comfortable eating in public places like
restaurants which makes socialising very difficult. We have had several trips
to the Doctors and at the moment she has had sufficient liquid to keep going
which is a bit of a relief, but as time go’s on its becoming more and more
of a concern. Its very difficult to know what to do about something like this.
Her Doctor is very supportive and is doing everything possible to try and
sort it out, but if there is no real change in a a couple of weeks then its
likely she will end up going into hospital. She has managed to eat just a
little bit more which is encouraging, but she is on 3 lots of medication to
try and sort it out.

We have had a couple of band gigs
this weekend and one more tonight. We were at the Kings Head Islington on
Friday and it was a very lively night with plenty of energy and a good vibe
from the crowd too.Saw Chrissie there too and had a chat. Also we were playing
at our normal later start time which was better. Then on Saturday we were
at Olivers at Greenwich and there was a good crowd again too. At this time
of year sometimes you don’t get that good a crowd due to people being away
and so on but its been good so far. Tonight we are at the Cafe Rouge in Southgate
for a new years bash. We played it last year with the the old trio and this
year its with the whole band. It should be fun as the food is very good too
its a pre-booking event and was quite crowded last year.

I shall be a little bit distracted
due to Alison though but hopefully I won’t make too many mistakes or the punters
will be too pissed to notice .

Have a Happy New Year and may all
your dreams come true

 

May you live in interesting times

Date Posted: 26th December 2007

The Christmas break is finally upon us: Just one gig at the Unicorn last Friday,
that was more like a rehearsal as it was empty. Boo Hoo, I guess we are just
not a Camden band.

Last week I also met with David
Vorhaus,(known for the album White Noise) one of the Electronic Music scenes
pioneers along with Vicky from Elephant Shelf and Ralph the faithful Filmmaker
and Camera Man, see about the possibility of a live event sometime in early
2008. We jammed in his studio which is almost a synth museum and it was interesting
and a little different too. I spotted several bits of audio history lurking
around the place. He was quite enthusiastic and open to suggestions and very
approachable. If the gig happens we will also film it and there will be a
video light show too.

Hope you are all having a good Christmas

 

More of the same

 

Mood: Brooding

Date Posted: 19th December 2007

My SO has been having problems eating again. This is something that I thought
we had got over and done with so thats been worrying me a bit.

A fair old weekend with a few good
gigs thrown in. A very enthusiastic crowd at the Salisbury on Saturday night,
and plenty of leaping about. Then two duo gigs to follow, one on Sunday at
the Portobello Gold which we had not played since parting company with Jessie
Pie. A few technical issues occurred that night but we got around them and
got a storming reception. The Gold has great food and a really friendly clientele
and even better its only about 25 minutes away. It has a slightly trendy crowd
rather different to our usual audience. So a fun evening and an early finish
for a change. On Monday night the duo again at the Ranelagh at Bounds Green
which was pretty good too, and we used a backing track on one of my tunes.
It seemed to work OK too though I was a bit nervous about using it.We seem
to appeal to a very wide range of people which supprises me as I rather felt
that we are quite retro a lot of the time that we might only have a niche
appeal. It seems slightly strange at times doing the duo as I am much more
exposed, though I am seen on the front line rather more with the band now
too. Christmas has crept up on us too and a couple days off will be welcome
as long as there’s not too much fuss. I am not a big fan of Christmas and
would prefer to absent myself from it on the whole. Even the office seems
to be taking a very low-key approach to it and there’s a somewhat serious
mood about the place. I feel a lot of people are feeling a little tired this
year, or maybe that’s just me come to think of it.

 

Di’s doings this week

Date Posted: 10th December 2007

A rehearsal on Friday for the new Duo Delta Ladies and we tried out our new
small PA which we got for duos and trios and small venue band gigs which is
actually not that small as it turns out. It will do the trick nicely though.

An Elephant Shelf gig at the Unicorn
on Saturday with Rangoon supporting played some nice stuff. They do a sort
of west cost rock style with harmony vocals. No audience to speak off so a
bit deadly, but we soldiered on. The Unicorn is a nice venue but its sort
of isolated. It used to be the Brecknock a few years back and is now a music
venue again and has good lights plus an in-house PA and so forth.

Sunday off to Oxford street to
meet with the organisers of the Emergenza festival, which is a sort of battle
of the bands to enter Elephant Shelf in it. We decided we would go for it,
though I suspect we are the oldest band that will have entered as we have
a combined age of about 500yrs LOL. It will be fun if we get through the first
round as you have some nice venues to play at and it should get us some useful
publicity if nothing else.

I am getting along OK mood wise
at the moment. I went back to my Dr for a repeat prescription and she said
I looked much better and on the whole I am feeling better apart from being
slightly anxious. Jobwise its not so great, so its just a matter of carrying
on regardless which is a bit of a pain.I don’t feel to bad when I am there,
but if I am working the day after a gig it seems completely crap, especially
if I had a really good night, its such a come down.

 

A funny sort of weekend

Mood: Apprehensive

Date Posted: 3rd December 2007

The weekend started or rather did’nt with a flat battery on the car. No warning
and I think the damp might have got at it. I have a booster starter thingy
but due to not reading the instructions correctly it did not work the first
time, I tried the next day, this time following the instructions and it worked
straight away. So memo to self Read instructions ……

Saturday was spent doing lost of
little odd jobs and then a gig at the Kings Head Islington. A very lively
crowd but it seems strange finishing so early due to licencing problems and
we could have gone on for another hour I think. Very crowded and Helena Love
paid us a visit again plus a flock of Angels who turned up just before the
end. Very crowded and the audience get up close and personal too, so you can
really see the whites of there eyes. Not Scary though as they are a nice bunch.
Nice to see the crowd getting into it big time too.

Sunday off to meet Vicky Dan &
Terry from the band at Sound Control under what was the Virgin Mega Store
to sign up for a sort of battle of the bands competion.the day did not go
entirely to plan as I had a panic attack on the way there, and arrived looking
somewhat shaky. Unfortunately the person we were to meet was unwell so off
to the pub around the corner for a drink and a bit of forward planing. felt
much better after having a drink. Then brought a boxed DVD set of the entire
series of Sex and the City for a prezzie for the SO,(though we both like it
very much) and then home. Also brought a Nina Simone compilation which is
excellent.

Back to the daily grind tommorow.
I have a meeting first thing, but not the kind you can sleep through. Drat.
Never mind.

 

Stuff and nonsense for this week

30th November 2007

 

The Music Bit

The Usual couple of gigs ;at the
weekend: A bit of excitement as we arrived at O’Neill’s Muswell Hill at 8:30
only to be told that the gig was cancelled. Vicky managed to get us a gig
at the Salisbury instead which we have never played on a Friday before and
of course we were not expected but there was a good crowd and it was fun though
slightly manic. We played to quite a young crowd who I don’t think were quite
sure what to expect LOL, but they seemed to enjoy it. Saturday a bit of rushing
about and last minute Birthday Present for the SO but managed to get exactly
what was required.Then a gig at Olivers in Greenwich which is a small basement
venue and we recorded that gig, I haven’t heard it yet but I am told its sounds
OK. Olivers is a venue that is very atmospheric especially as its in a basement
and has that real old club kind of feel to it. The stage is tiny so its a
bit of a squash but its always fun to play and we had a very enthusiastic
crowd again too. Its now our only regular South London Venue which is a shame
as we could do with a few more down south IMHO being the token South Londoner
in Elephant Shelf.

The Other Stuff

Its all a bit mad in day-job land
right now. Lots of sily stuff and a slight air of panic and desperation around
the place. Its not affecting me too much though which is good. My mood has
been better as in stableish though I did get a bit wound up last week and
I felt very down tonight but it seems to be fading away now.

I am sleeping well most of the time but having some very vivid and strange
dreams, which are lightly to be the effect of the medication to a certain
extent.

Stuff for consideration

Where do we go from here? I am
slightly nervous about a few developments recently that are in the wind that
are exciting but a little scary too. If I get a real chance can I hack it.
I just don’t know yet, but you have try I guess.

 

Time to fly a kite maybe

15th November 2007

I have managed to shake off the
bug that I had last week, but it has left me feeling quite rough and burnt
out. We played 2 Shelf gigs last week, Friday we were at Oliver’s in Greenwich,
which was OK but not as busy as as usual. Then Saturday we were back at the
Kings Head in Islington which was pretty good but again slightly less busy
than before though a good enough crowd.

Day job wise things are much the same as before other than my concentration
getting worse then ever and my temper following not far behind. I felt a lot
like walking out on Monday morning and very nearly did, I have really had
enough in a lot of respects now. I think its an age thing, I don’t have the
tolerance that I did before. My personality is somewhat brittle and my confidence
in others is easily dented.

Often I feel as though I am under siege. A lot in my life at the moment is
leading to frustration. Creatively I am on an up and am getting a flow of
ideas, but that’s not going to solve my other problems. I would dearly love
to have the time to be able to achieve more of my potential. I am not sure
if this is a combination of lack of confidence or simply not sticking up for
myself sufficiently. Maybe its time to ask for more please. Much much more.
Wallace D. Wattles wrote a book called ‘The Science of Getting Rich’ which
uses a premise known as the ‘Laws of Attraction’. It seems to be quite a business.
‘A man’s way of doing things is the direct result of the way he thinks about
things’ yep, I guess so, now tell me something I don’t know like um ‘Then
we must grasp the truth that every thought held in this substance becomes
a form, and that man can so impress his thoughts upon it as to cause them
to take form and become visible things’ OK so we had the UK lottery tonight
and I have been visualising buying a particular penthouse property near hear
which is on the market for a mere snip at £5,200,000. So has the phone rang
with the glad tidings that the required Millions are on there way. Funnily
enough no.

Cough Sneeze and all that

5th November 2007

 

Got a bit of a cold at the moment,
with a huge cough as well it seems to have been going around the band I think
though we have had it in the office as well, I am hoping its not going to
stick around too long, I missed the warning sign as I had a sore tShroat last
week, but I put it down to straining my voice a bit it is a bug. Ho Hum. I
am still ploughing on with the music endevours and did the first official
Delta Ladies gig on Saturday. Delta Ladies is a duo stroke trio offshoot of
Elephant Shelf and we did our first gig at the Unicorn as suport for Jimmy
C’s band. It went pretty well and hopefully there will be some usefull oportunitys
in future. We videoed the debut and there will be something on the web in
the not too distant future and also the inevitable website. LOL

Sleepy Time down South

 

23rd October 2007

 

Well I am having a reasonable time
musically. We had two Shelf gigs at the weekend and I am doing vocals on a
couple of numbers now which seems to be working though its a bit different
being center stage, but it seems to have gone across well enough.

We were back at the Princess Alexandra
in Crouch End on Friday night and said hello to Jeanie Barton who dropped
in for a little while. I must go to one of her gigs again as she is a great
jazz singer and also a songwriter.

Saturday nights gig was a particularly
good one at the Salisbury which is an Elephant Shelf regular gig, we started
late because of the England Rugby match but we had a really enthusiastic audience
and they were with us all the way.Rosie is now well and truly integrated into
the band and she has a great voice. Rosie will be opening for us on some gigs
from time to time. She was going to do a short opening set on Staurday but
due to our late start it didn’t happen. Shes writes strong songs and is a
very charismatic performer. Nice to see Chrissie and Helena Love (yes the
Sofas are really comfortable at the Salisbury I have been told), Phillipa
and Pennie and Alice Party Animal there too(thanks for the drink) and I think
they had a good time…and of course the irripressible Laura.

I am still getting very sleepy
which is the effect of the medication, as I suddenly feel really tired and
out of it, but most of my anxiety has gone which is great. It is a bit difficult
concentraiting though so I am wondering if my dosage is a little too high,
but I am feeling more able to cope. I am getting a few headaches again though
which is annoying.

 

It’s only Rock & Roll But ….

 

5th October 2007

I saw my doctor and she confirmed
that I was still alive. I had considered asking her to keep me signed off
on the basis that I am an Existential Nihilist however she said that this
was a state of being and not a recognised medical condition.

“Existentialism is a philosophical
movement which claims that individual human beings create the meanings of
their own lives. It is a reaction against more traditional philosophies, such
as rationalism and empiricism, which sought to discover an ultimate order
in metaphysical principles or in the structure of the observed world, and
therefore universal meaning. The movement had its origins in the 19th century
thought of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche and was prevalent in Continental philosophy.
In the 1940s and 1950s, French philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone
de Beauvoir wrote scholarly and fictional works that helped to popularize
themes associated with existentialism, including “dread, boredom, alienation,
the absurd, freedom, commitment,and nothingness”

“Nihilism (from the Latin
nihil, nothing) is a philosophical position which argues that the world, especially
past and current human existence, is without objective meaning, purpose, comprehensible
truth, or essential value. Nihilists generally assert some or all of the following:
there is no reasonable proof of the existence of a higher ruler or creator,
a “true morality” does not exist, and secular ethics are impossible;
therefore, life has no truth, and no action can be preferable to any other.
The term nihilism is sometimes used synonymously with anomie to denote a general
mood of despair at the pointlessness of existence.”

You win some and you loose some
I guess. The sky is blue today and perhaps thats as much as anyone can ever
ask for…My concentration is a little better and the anxiety is much reduced
but frankly I don’t know what use I will be to anyone when I get into the
office.

Other news in brief:

After the demise of the infamous
“Jessie Pies Cleavage of Death” there will be born in part from
its ashes the “Delta Ladies” performing mostly as a duo selections
across the following styles Blues a bit of 40’s style supper Jazz, a little
bit of Country and a dash of Folk with the occasional dash of singer songwriter.
Hopefully reaching the parts that Elephant Shelf can’t.

 

Yesterday afternoon I spent a little
time writing

 

29th September 2007

Yesterday afternoon I spent a little
time writing some rather obscure song lyrics. I am having some particularly
vivid dreams at the moment which is lightly to be the the anti-depressants
as its one of the well known side effects along with about 99 others in the
list. My mood did lift quite a bit in the first week but seems to have slumped
completly again. Though thst text book as often when you start to take the
pills you get an evening bigger dip for a while

I am not anywhere near as irritable
or paranoid as I have been but then I have not been in the office for a couple
of weeks so that’s not particularly meaningful. I need to do something about
my work situation and it concerns me quite a bit now as I am not coping well
with it and I feel that I do need to change things. I need to do a bit of
negotiation and I find that very hard to do. I am somebody who can out a lot
of energy in to work, or projects in short bursts, but I then tend to need
a bit of down-time.What I am not very good at is doing lots of disparate things
in small nibbles, where I lose the overall picture, I find it frustrating
and stressful when nothing ever seems to be completed. In my particular working
environment a lot the tasks seem to be that way.That is often because there
is no understanding of the difference between concept and implementation.

I find motivation particularly
difficult at the moment and I was hoping that I would have felt the inclination
to start looking at my project work again, but I have not touched the work
laptop for days, apart from checking my emails.

There has only been one message from a colleague at work, no get well cards
or anything else unlike the last time was unwell a few years back. I am not
sure if that’s a good or bad thing to be honest. I will go to the Doctors
at the end of next week and see what I need to do then. I am quite good at
doing a public face in the sense that I can keep going quite well and often
people quite close to me are not really aware of whats going on mentally.

I have not been out of the flat for three days, but I have to go out tonight…

 

Human Being V Human doing

27th September 2007

How pre-occupied are you with thoughts of death? Or the utter pointlessness
of everything, or is this normal? I suppose it is if your a goth maybe it
is I am not as far as I can tell at least the last time I checked so perhaps
its a little strange. How much activity is merely the filling up of available
time. When you measure what you have achived in life are you left with a fairly
minimal list? Why are there so many question marks in this blog? I seem to
be mostly being at the moment and not particularly doing, but my motivation
is completly out of the window though I don’t feel too bad about it. I was
sure I had something to say when I started this blog but now I don’t think
I have.

 

Settling down with my SSRI’s again

 

26th September 2007

 

I seem to be settling down with my SSRI’s again and I am feeling a lot less
anxious, but I have absolutely no motivation to do anything at all.I have
a daily routine though which I stick to as much as possible so I am forcing
myself to do a few things. I have felt a lot more human again and less paranoid,
but everything seems a bit pointless and colourless today. I am still doing
all my music practice of course, but I can’t seem to get to grips with anything
on the computer at present, though I did a bit of very simple codeing this
morning when I got out of bed.

The odd thing about the meds is
they seem to have dis-inhibited me quite a lot and I seem to be talking rather
too freely at times, I hope that eases off a little before too long. I had
a very long chat with Rosie ( new singer in the Shelf ) and I am sure I must
have bored the socks off her.

The band ploughs on and I have
not fallen asleep during any gigs yet so thats not too bad really.

I am absolutely dreading going
back to the day job but maybe the medication will sort that out for me.The
trouble is that I tend to worry about everything which eventually means I
grind to a complete halt, which is really where I am now I think parked on
the cosmic hard sholder waiting for the intergalatic AA to give me a jump
start.

 

Hello new neighbours

 

23rd September 2007

I met our new neighbours last night, coming back from a gig. I think they
are into music as the the guy was asking me about my violin and mentioned
the Quecumber whch is a Gypsy-jazz bar near us. I said I had played their
once. I think its the first time I have actually seen the couple together
since they moved in a few weeks back. They seemed quite nice.

The usual couple of gigs this week
at the Kings Head Islington and one at an out of town pub called the Sportsman
in Croxley Green. Both Kings head gigs very very lively as ever and we are
getting some good feedback from them. I managed to talk to Helena Love on
Friday in the interval as she had come down to see us, and she seems very
nice and has really got a good look together as well, though I think she was
finding a bit hot on Friday as the Kings head is a very warm venue once a
few people are in there.

I am starting to adjust to being
back on Citalopram again and begining to feel a lot less anxious and tense
thank goodness, though this week I have been sleeping a lot. On Thursday I
slept most of the day. the good news so far is I have not been waking up with
Headaches and I am much less irritable.

 

Hello again its unlikely to be
me you are looking for

12th September 2007

Well here we are again sort of
almost-ish. I have been out of sorts for a few days but hopefully I will be
better soon. Headaches and I can’t sleep. Just checked my work email and its
full of rather surreal messages including one that looks particularly like
a wind-up. Don’t people realise I am supposed to be doing my own job not admin
for other people who only need to pick up a phone and say what is this crap
about and get a swift apology for the perpetrator. I am employed to use my
technical skills and its waste of money to be using me for anything else really.
Well presumably not. Maybe it is time to quit finally? Think I will check
out how much notice I need to give, that gives them a chance of a soft landing
and enough is enough really I don’t need this anymore. I could just get on
with doing one project at a time and actually finishing it which would be
nice.

I do like September and this years
weather is I remember Septembers, Sunny but not too warm with a kind of long
drawn out sunset most nights, though perhaps its just in my head that it seems
that way? I worked on recording a re-working of one of my old tunes for Solo
Piano. Its a bit self-indulgent but thats OK it makes change from banging
out 12 bars at the pub.

If you did manage to get through
that then on with the plot. I figured out if I quit the day job I have between
2 to 3 years to get on an even keel, start a business or whatever. Luckily
the kind of business I am in needs contacts rather than huge investments being
knowledge based though advertising is needed of course but that is not too
difficult to do. Getting paid is a problem if you are in business for yourself
but other people must be able to do it. What go’s (should there be an apostrophe
there?) against me is simply my age, if I were to think of being an employee
again if my proposed business venture go’s tit’s up (that’s an English expression
for any offshore readers) that could be a major problem but if I get out of
the environment I am in maybe I can actually make a go of something. Wow this
is fighting talk for a depressive, but then mood disorders are what you suffer
from they are not what you are nor should they define what you can become.

The Band has a couple of gigs this
weekend: which should be good. The first is at the Kings Head Islington which
is now really the sort of home turf as we more or less have a residency there.
We have had some phenomenal reactions there recently. We also have a new addition
to the Band Rosemary Rebecca Swan who is also from these here parts on myspace
and she will be doing some singing with us and maybe a little more to. She
is a little more down home than our previous vocalists which may work pretty
well.I am really looking forward to meeting her as the rest of the band have
and they say she is very good. Then on Saturday night we are at Maddens in
East Finchley (an Irish owned Music and Sports Bar ) which is another happy
hunting ground for us and also a regular venue too.

To infinty and beyond then >>>>
Woosh …..

 

Hmmn…..

 

9th September 2007

Still fairly busy with work and the band and we have had some very good reactions
recently. Its fun but its also quite hard work with a day-job as well.

In a sense the Band has been a little like therapy for me and has often helped
me to get through bad times when I have been at a very low ebb.

There is a certain discipline required to make it happen, and that can help
to keep me going at the times when I would just stop perhaps and retire to
the comfort of my bed. I have not been taken the little pills for about 3
years now and I am quite pleased with that fact as I try not to be a professional
depressive. On of the traits that can often go with Bi-Polar disorder is a
fair amount of paranoia, but I am almost managing that too. I do like my own
company when things get particularly bad and I am straining to concentrate.

Having a certain amount of distance from people can be very therapeutic at
the appropriate time, though friends can find it difficult to deal with.

IUpdate
to the previous update to the previous update…….

 

24th August 2007

 

Everything is busy right now, The
Band and work, in fact a little bit to busy.

I seem to have shaken off a strange viral thing that was making me feel dizzy
and somewhat unwell. It lasted about 2 weeks, and completely knocked me out.

Bla, Bla lots of gigs Bla bla …..
New shoes, Bla Bla Bla. Rain, more Rain.

Interestingly The Shelf now has
a new song in the repertoire, which was a tune that I wrote about a year or
two ago. Its a reggae tune called “Undubwise” and it was an instrumental
and is now a song as Vicky Martin wrote some lyrics for it. Its about being
TG and its being sung in assorted pubs near you and shaven headed people are
dancing to it in O’Neill’s and other places …. Its just dawned on me that
maybe significant.

A
sunset ten years ago is always more memorable than the one last night

 

10th August 2007 at 10:00 am –
Comments (0)

 

Everything looks better from a
distance. Time is related to distance they say, and distant events seem to
be much better than they actually were. Time glazes an attractive wash of
colour over them. A sunset ten years ago is always more memorable than the
one last night. Why is that. You really don’t know what you have got until
it’s gone. Maybe these are the good old days. I manage to spend my time in
two almost worlds, which should by rights have collided by now.I curious to
know whats happened to old friends, but people move on and seemly I am the
one that remains static amidst the turmoil.

 

30th July 2007

Islington and Chobam

Friday night at the Kings
Head in Islington. Its a very lively venue with music every night and it went
well though there were a few sound problems in the first set. Its quite a
small place and its gets quite busy so the playing area is a bit cramped.
Its also very hot, but luckily Robbie our bass player has an enormous fan
which he takes to gigs now and I can reap the benefits. As I said its very
cosy so there is risk from low flying violin bows during certain numbers.
Those amongst you who indulge in fiddling will know that violins are quite
sensitive instruments and area little bit prone to things dropping off mid
tune… The crowd was enthusiastic on the whole so it was a generally good
vibe. Dan the Harp player is riding his BSA to some gigs now and was a bit
worried when I was parking my car, in the gap next to it, but it was OK as
I missed . I chatted to one of the punters whilst walking back to my car and
they had obviously enjoyed it quiet a bit, so that was very gratifying. I
was a bit nervy on Saturday, so I did not achieve too much during the day.
Then a drive down to Chobam for our gig at the “Castle Grove”. luckily they
were not underwater when we arrived, though its a place which gets flooded
quite regularly. We played in a marquee in the garden but it did start to
rain and about half way through the first set water started to come in. We
shifted all the plugs and socket of the ground and lifted up everything that
was not on stands and played on. At half time the rain stopped so the second
set was dry, until we finished then hey presto it started to rain again. An
appreciative if slightly damp audience. A lot of cable wiping and stuff as
we got the stuff ready to pack in the van. The drive home was very wet with
rain coming from every angle. Today was a major chill-out day….And the sun
shone.

There’s the Good stuff and the
bad stuff and then there is the other stuff:

 

That should be quite clear I hope.

In life we spend far too much time looking for answers which are are usually
right in front of us. You can spend along time building crackpot theories
as to why things are not working out, but then you discover that shock, horror
there is no conspiracy you are just dealing with idiots….

I had some questions that needed
answering and they were answered completely openly and honestly. Everything
must change or decay.

I had dreamed of an escape route from my present situation but I pinned my
hopes to someone else’s dream making it happen for me, but actually in reality
I am on my own and that has come as a shock. Still grasping that fact is helpful
as it allows for a more realistic approach in future.

 

About time for another entry

 

Mood: Confused Date

Posted: 5th July 2007 at 12:28
am – Comments

 

Well stuff moves on apace. Plenty of Elephant shelf gigs as ever and we are
also recording some stuff as well. We have had a 4 page magazine article about
us in a new publication called ‘Swinging Heaven’. Rather a surprising place
to be published in as its related to a website called http://www.swingingheaven.co.uk/shm.html
Ironic as half the band is virtually celibate or too far gone to care. Still
I suppose we might get some better offers now .

Gigs are booked up till December
at the moment so that will keep me out of mischief for a while and we will
be doing some recording as well. We are also doing a few slightly different
types of gigs with a couple of jazz rock specials with some very good players
in the near future including a very special one in September if it happens.
We played at the Kings head in Islington last night which is fast becoming
a regular venue to very good effect. Odd as it is our first gig since the
smoking ban came in to force and it was quite different, it felt less tiring
though I might have imagined that. Also our third gig with Ingrid who did
three numbers with us last night. She was interview on Radio London last Sunday
about her previous career in the 80’s and gave us a plug. Can’t hurt can it?
And we are trying to angle an invite to the studio with the band or at least
part of it. The Lucious Laura handbag was also in attendance with a friend
who’s name escapes me, but nice to see you both anyway

Another day wrestling with crap
databases today, but its Karma I guess as I created the evil designs in the
first place.

 

More old Rot

Date Posted: 25th May 2007 at 04:25 pm

A pleasant evenings diversion on O’Neill’s Blackheath last night, not a bad
gig though I have an annoying sore throat bug thats making me feel a little
bit off form. Off to Rays Jazz Shop to a CD Launch for TIm Collinson in a
few minutes.He played at the Music Palace on one of the Thursday Jazz nights
and I enjoyed it.

On Sunday we have a gig at the
Salisbury Pub which should be fun as it’s usually a good vibe there. It’s
likely that the Shelf will be changing a bit in the next couple of months,
hopefully for the better but if you haven’t seen us and think you might like
to now might be a good time.

#237Stuff and Nonsense

Date Posted: 6th May 2007 at 08:01 pm

It’s fascinating to read some of the crap and apocrypha that circulates around
the web, the frightening thing is that a lot of people seem to belive it.

A bit of a strange week this one,
only one gig, a trio one at the Pink Bordello LGBT opening night and unfortunately
it was an empty house even with the free champers. So a little disapointing
though the Pink Bordello Jazz club will continue I think.

This weekend is mostly band rehersals
and web up-dates including putting more stuff on You Tube for the band. I
am not a big fan of bank holiday weekends but it’s nice to get a break from
work though. Sometimes in certain areas its a little bit like banging your
head against a brick wall but its nice when it stops. I watched a great film
today “Ray”, which is Ray Charles Bio and found it quite moving.

Next weekend we have a couple of
gigs lined up at the Princess Alexandra in Crouch End on Friday and O’Neals
Muswell Hill on Saturday which has to be the biggest pub I have ever seen
and is in a converted church with a double decker bar.

 

#236Prince 2 and other boring sh***

Date Posted: 28th April 2007 at 12:43 pm

Any one who knows what Prince 2 is I am sure will sympathise with me as I
have just been doing a week long training course and on Friday the exam, which
was weird for me as its done on paper and I generated 19 pages of scribble
for it, though the leading contender did 23.

Decided said course is an invention of the

Severe case of the writers cramp
after that one I can tell you.

Then in the evening a gig at the Music Palace, but sleep walking a bit as
very knackered from the exam.

The www.Pinkbordello.co.uk and
The Music Palace http://myspace.com/musicpalacelondon look like there are
going to be really good and we had our official opening night of the Jazz
with Big Chief playing this Thursday which was nice Darcy was doiing the Hostess
thing and will be in attendance at the LGBT night which is this coming Wednesday.Darcey
will also be there on our opening LGBT night too

 

Elephant Shelf will be going through a few changes in the next few weeks too
so look out for that, though there is unlikely to be any Kylie at the moment

 

#235To grow or not to grow

 

Date Posted: 10th April 2007 at
11:22 am

 

Everything in my life seems to
get bigger, though not always better.

The option to stand still is not there anymore, and my confidence in many
areas is increasing but I do feel more and more lost in some respects. In
a sense the more limitations you have the less you need to worry about.

Went to see the in laws this weekend
apart from the usual 2 gigs which went quite well but more of that later.
I go in boy mood to see the in laws but they are fully aware of everything
and so as they have just got broadband was able to show them some u-tube video
of Elephant Shelf which Dad-in -law much enjoyed particularly watching Jessie.
I suspect that they just tag my TG’ness as some sort of slightly artistic
eccentricity, still its an easy cop-out.Then on to the sister-in-laws as they
live around the corner for a chat about the government wasting money and more
watching Elephant Shelf on You tube.Almost convinced Alison to die her hair
as it was red but is now white in places and its a bit ageing. Sister in law
Dawn will pop down to london to see a gig at some point and her husband Richard
said he might come down so that will be fun. Dawn is a make-up artist for
photo shoots and films but does the extras rather than the stars I think.

Too good gigs on Friday and Saturday,
one our new venue The Music Palace at Crouch End, which is a nice 150 seat
venue in a sort of 80’s style in a old chapel and we are booking acts for
it too. Then another new venue on Saturday, an O’Neils in Muswell Hill which
is also in an old church though extremely large.

The day job continues on apace
and things seem to be coming together quite well, but there is always something
new on the boil and there never seems to be time to consolidate anything,
but that’s life I suppose.

I don’t have time to agonise about
being TG, its like zen I am and that’s it.Most pople deal with it quite well
by ignoring it totally and treating me like a normal human being, which is
cool.

Acceptance is actually being asked
to pass the loo role through to the other cubicle

 

#234Take a deep breath

Date Posted: 28th March 2007 at 10:07 am

Well I have been having a slightly strange time of it recently, I have had
several panic attacks in a row and also bouts of insomnia, which has left
me feeling a bit wasted, but on the plus side I am now able to do a portion
of my work from home which is much better as with no interruptions I can actually
get to finish off a few things for a change.

I ma not sure if I am going to need soemthing from the Doc or not but I wil
wait and see.

I am not convinced that the band(Elephant
Shelf) is going to make past pub status somehow, I did have high hopes for
it at one time, but it may be useful as a springboard to better things when
I have enough confidence.

Alisons hand is begining to get
the strength back now which is a very good sign and she go’s for her first
proper physio session today.

 

More inane ramblings

Date Posted: 4th February 2007 at 12:07 pm

 

Its great having a spell checker
on the browser, I might even get mistaken for someone vaguely intelligent!

A couple of reasonably well attended
gigs this weekend, After Office Hours in Barnet on Friday which was rather
lively as a low flying drunk nearly demolished my piano on about the second
number which was taking things a little to far in the audience participation
stakes I feel, but a mostly good vibe and quite a reaction.

Down at the Joogleberry Playhouse
in Brighton on Saturday and it was nice to meet Sandra Brighton and Barbara
during the break. We were not quite hitting top form on one or two of the
numbers but that’s the way it is sometimes. We had a guest vocalist Greg Derham
who has an excellent band of his own that is really worth seeing. We also
had Menno who is a comedian who did some comedy songs in the interval so it
was quite a varied bill. A few nice comments after the gig too. The Joogleberry
is a very nice place to play but its a bit tiring combined with the drive
back to London however I managed to keep awake just long enough to get home
but I was a bit shattered I must admit. We do tend to play quite long sets
which combined with a long drive can be a bit of a killer sometimes.

The band business grinds on inexorably
but it is getting a little too much like a job in some respects. If you have
an evening when you are not quite cutting it, even though the audience is
with you and has enjoyed it, it is rather dishartening at times. The appeal
of running off and joining the circus is only there before you join and not
afterwards.

 

Winter Whats that all about then
?

18th January 2007 at 07:10 pm -My Real Birthday

A pretty good weekend with the Salisbury gig being an ab fab way to spend
ones 50th Birthday. Enjoyed it loads and Mrs Diana came too which was a surprise
as she is not often in attendance at gigs, everybody playing well and a great
debut by the Treacles with their new line up.

Big respect to Dee Treacle(who
my other half seemed quite intrigued by) as it was only her second gig and
quite a crowd to play too but they did really well so they will be back in
Feb to do it again.

I am finding the day job very tiring
at the moment, I must admit but I am just about getting through it. I having
to go a little further out on that proverbial limb again, so let’s hope the
branch can take the weight. Its just that whole winter thing where you run
out of steam, and its so dull dreary that you can’t be arsed to get out of
bed and when you do, you think is it really worth it , but we have to fight
the good fight otherwise what is there left…

Sales people don’t you just love
em. I know they have to make a living but in the day job I have to deal with
one or two prize specimens. Its not something I would want to do.

 

The New Year so far

 

Date Posted: 13th January 2007
at 04:38 pm

 

Did my first gig since new years
eve on Thursday down at O’Neals in Blackheath.Not my favorite venue but its
was a very enjoyable gig and a good crowd. Slightly amused to an office party
of coppers in celebrating their collegues promotion and or transfer.

One came over said “I am really
enjoying the music, but you must get a lot of grief particulary in places
like this”. I explained it was actually one of our regular venues and
so forth. I think it was a bit of an eye opener for them, and perhaps worth
rather more than the average diversity training session

 

Off tonight to do my 200 gig with the dreaded Elephant Shelf and also the
live debut of the treacles new vocalist Shazzy, should be fun !

Gloria (who I have big respect for) is also playing tonight, and she is always
great entertainment.

The Salisbury Hotel is a really
good venue on Shelf Home turf so we should have a few of the regular crowd
in.

We have also just finished a new
5 track CD featuring 2 studio recordings and 2 live performance recordings
made at the Joogleberry in Brighton plus a very old recording from the very
first incarnation.

We will be selling the new cd tonight:Thanks
to all at ShelfLife Productions who were bizzy duplicating it yesterday, as
I have just finished the mixes this week, and the artwork was finalised yesterday
too so its been quite an effort.

 

2007

 

Mood: Depressed

Date Posted: Yesterday at 12:10
am –

What’s it mean to you?

It’s going to be a busy year for
me I know. 2006 was quite successful in many ways, but I feel that I don’t
have too much left in reserve now. Life sometimes gets a little too much for
me to cope with at times. Ok I have a cunning plan or too up my sleave but
are they going to work god only knows… I have the same aspirations and dreams
that I had last year and just maybe I am getting closer to some of them.

I have lost contact with a few
folks this year, not sure why though.Maybe I don’t have enough in common with
them anymore. Interestingly I was described by a singer who sometimes guests
with our band as appearing aloof, which is actually not the case at all, it’s
actually a combination of shyness and anxiety and not wanting to put my foot
in it by saying something stupid. Also I like people but I can’t do small
talk very well and I tend to dry up.

I also get almost agraphobic at
time and could just lock myself away and not speak to anyone and not step
outside the door, plus I am quite obsessive and get stressed when ever any
sort of dead line is involved. I worry about time keeping but am nearly always
late for everything, so pretty hopeless really.

And I still don’t feel that I quite
fit anywhere…

 

#221 A couple of days off.

Date Posted: 23rd December 2006 at 12:51 pm

Maybe I am just an old cynic, but to me the best bit about Christmas is having
a couple of extra days off work.

My life has very strong demarcation
lines now. Whilst I am very out away from the work environment I still feel
the need to not have my TG aspect spill over in to the 9 to 5 at the moment.I
think this is because its a way of putting up a barrier between who I feel
I am and who people perceive I am and in a sense I feel that I would loose
credibilty.That may be a controversial stance but I deal with a lot of quite
blokey external contacts, and talking to sales reps is not my Forte, so these
interactions are somewhat forced already, so for the moment keeping the double
act up seems to be a practical solution. As far as being in business for myself
thats a different matter.

I am not sure that at the moment
I would want to break down that final line between Office World and the rest
of my life, as it still gives me a bit of a refuge. One collegue from work
has seen me performing with the Shelf but did not disclose anything much about
it. One or two others are very interested in my musical endevours but so far
they have not discovered anything to do with Diana though I am sure they could
figure it out eventually.

 

#220 Seasons of mists and sore
throaty-ness

 

Date Posted: 9th December 2006 at 11:39 am

Been feeling quite rough this week and very tired, the cough and throat problem
is still there, but I have been sleeping a lot and that seems to have helped
a bit. A low key weekend.

We are doing a gig at http://www.oliviersjazzbar.com/
in Greenwich tonight.Should be fun. Its a nice venue, very intimate and has
a quite responsive crowd, and hope fully the weather will stay settled too,
which may tempt people out.

This is about the only live music venue left in Greenwich now, and its future
is a little uncertain too which is a shame.

Its been a very difficult week
at the day job which, and it looks like its not going to get any better for
a while yet.On the whole things are going well but there are several parallel
projects going on and only myself and 1 trusty side kick to implement and
build them whilst still keeping all the rest of our trusty home brewed systems
working having just been informed that the replacement for these which will
be built by a very well known contractor for central government( yes thats
the one) will now be about another 5 years a way before its initial rollout.
So we are now looking at ways to improve the robustness of our home brewed
toys.

 

 

#219 December

 

Date Posted: 2nd December 2006 at 10:02 am

Well its here and the shortest day is coming very soon.work wise things are
frantic and I am not too sure how well I can keep up with it.Had to do a presentation
at work and that always seems a bit surreal to me.I can’t always take things
to seriously.

My Brother in Law died in hospital
recently after suffering a sudden onset disease at the age of 55. He was a
very laid back person most of the time and also one of the normal people that
seemed to have a balanced life and not seem to suffer fron endless self-referrence.Its
all in the role of the dice I suppose though.As it turned out I could not
go to the funeral but he was very well liked and there were about 300 people
in attendance. Alison had a puncture on the M25 whilst on the way which required
a new tyre and so also missed the funeral.

Luckily the gigs have eased off
a bit. last weekend we did 3 that went fairly well.We were at the Princess
Alexandra in North London on Friday which has now become the home ground and
got a fab reaction there.Then Saturday in Brighton at the Joogleberry Playhouse,
which was also ace, and they do good veggie food too.Jess Green of the Treacles
who is a Brighton body came to see us too and a had quite a good chat with
her too as she is quite a muso one way and another. The Treacles should be
quite good to see when they start giging I think.

This week only one down in Cobham
and its a of a relief to be honest. I have a bit of a sore throat too and
have been consuming industrial quantitys of raw garlic which may help a bit.

 

#218 Surviving Prince Albert For
the weekend and other stuff

 

Date Posted: 18th November 2006 at 07:15 pm

 

Well the Battersea Real music weekend was a success, we managed to get 12
acts or so on over three days and a reasonable number of punters into, plus
we have a lot of it on video too so I will add some of that to the web site
eventually too. Quite strange spending a whole weekend in a pub, but not an
unpleasant experience. The food at the Prince Albert’s quite good too so that
was a real advantage.

Thanks to all the bands that came
along and took part too amongst whom were this lot:Greg Derham Band, Paul
Garner Band, Jools and the Gamblers, Ed Benstead, Jimmy C, Delta Tom,Rob McCabe,
Louis Cennamo, Natalie B, Ghost,Whiskey at Breakfast, Dead Cat Bounce and
all others who took part. Special thanks to our roadie Jim and also Martin
out new roadie, because Jim is moving to sound mixing now who worked hard
to get it all to happen and to Ian Brown our good friend who underwrote the
whole venture.

Played three times that weekend,
We did a set with Jimmy C plus the Louis Cennamo Quartet very generously providing
the rhythm section as his band couldn’t make it and then later we did the
Trio Act and the Elephant shelf full Monty in the evening and then we did
The shelf again on Sunday and also with our guesting singer the totally awesome
Jenny Mac as well as the wonderful Jessie Pie.

Great fun but having to be there
all day from Midday past midnight in Saturday and similar on Sunday as well
as playing was a bit shattering.

The aim was to re-launch the venue for live music but there were complaints
about noise so this seems unlikely, which is a shame as its a really nice
place to play, but you can’t win them all.Still something may kick off from
it eventually.

last weekend we were at the Hornsey
Tavern on Saturday, and its was nice to meet up with Chrissy who plays bass
in Funk/Soul band I think and had come up from Kent to see us, and on Sunday
night we did a trio gig at the Princess Alexandria in Crouch end, which is
also a really friendly venue and sort of on Shelf home turf.

This weekend so far we have been
at O’Neals Blackheath on Thursday,(good reception but its always a terrible
sound there, so it makes it hard work to play, then Friday at Viva Viva in
Hornsey, again a very good night and good fun though its quite a small venue
and fitting everyone on stage is a bit of a struggle.

Tonight its madame Vicky’s Birthday
and we have a gig at the Salisbury in Green lanes starting at about 10.00.
It’s a nice place to play because there is a reasonable amount of space to
spread yourself in and its a good party crowd.

Tomorrow is collapse in a heap
day before getting back to the office then Friday we are at it again.

 

#217 Tired

Date Posted: 2nd November 2006 at 11:07 pm

 

I am just so tired at the moment and aching quite a bit too. I seriously considering
limiting my activities a bit as I am not functioning well at all.

Somehow I have got to get through this weekend in one piece, which is going
to be difficult….

 

#216 Introspection and feeling
a little odd

 

Date Posted: 17th October 2006 at 06:54 pm

 

Couldn’t make it to work today as I was feeling a bit ill: went back to bed
slept most of the day and felt better later. Just hope that I am am not up
for a recurrence of previous problems, but I suspect its just a hiccup. Yesterday
I had no concentration and just kept making mistakes and I suspect tomorrow
will be the same, but if I am feeling a bit better that should help I think.

I seem to have been very introspective in the last couple of weeks which is
fine for creativity, but living in your head can get a bit weird.

Perhaps its national ‘Who am I
week?’ or something. Or perhaps its just the seasonal road hump that seems
to slow my thought process about now. I have also been having quiet weird
dreams and often I don’t remember my dreams at all, but lots of the dreams
involve people I have not seen for a long time, and a feeling of loneliness
which is also a bit out of scope because recently I am hardly ever alone.

 

#215 Mist and mellow thingys time

Date Posted: 16th October 2006 at 08:31 am

 

2 more gigs: Friday at the Princess Alexandra in Crouch End to a very happy
crowd who seem to be really enjoying it, and the floor was awash with beer
by the end too. But a great really fun night and we finished very late it
turned in to a 3 hour set and so to bed at 3 but still wide awake. Still not
quite sure what to make of it all, but it seems to keep me happy doing this.

Had a very lazy Saturday.Off to
Shepherds Bush O’Neals and again quite a fun evening, played a resonable set
but not many people in as its only really busy there when the theater next
door is open. In a rather playfull mood when we got to the venue just for
a change. Played another fairly long set, plenty of people dancing which was
cool and quite a lot of improvising on the numbers too.

Sunday working on recording one
of my own tunes, doing a sort of slow celtic thingy which just needs a violin
part added now.Also doing some minor changes to to website’s and a very long
phone call from my sister who is coming to visit next week.

Nipped out to take a couple of
photos for a new

Promotional website for our new venture at the Prince Albert pub. www.batterseavillage.co.uk
We are doing a Music weekend there which will be Blues Jazz and Folk/World
music on November 3, 4, 5 which we are hopping will be a success as its another
one of my local pubs and they are into promoting live music.There will be
about 12 or 14 acts on over the weekend so fingers. toes knees and everything
else crossed and touching wood it we hope it will be good.It will be the first
time that I have played there too, but we are hopeing that it will be come
a regular music venue if we can get enough folks through the door.

I note there is a crew of TG Metalists
in lurking in South London called

Dys4ia http://www.myspace.com/dysphoriarock Rather different to the the stuff
that I do solo or the Shelf gets up to but I am sure that they will good to
see when they are out and giging. Don’t know any off them personally but I
suspect there will folks here that do.

There is quite an outbreak of Roses
on myspace now too, quite a few familiar names and faces there. I have allso
got a page there and have sort of started a blog there too. http://www.myspace.com/dianastone
.Its music related but will have the odd picture of me as well and links to
other that I do.

Anyway time for a the usual hours
piano practice, then off to work for another day of tedium and crap. Hurrah

 

#214 Some good news-ish

Date Posted: 29th September 2006 at 01:05 pm

 

Had some good news on the day job front as a couple of projects that I am
working have been approved so thats a couple of things less to worry about.

Still churning out the noise with
the Shelf, out at O’Neals in Blackheath last night, not our most together
gig but it went ok ish.Various people taking pictures, I wonder where they
all go ? I was slightly hiddenl ast night behind our temporary horn section
but as there were a few cock-ups this was no disadvantage.The very wonder
Jenny Mac was doing vocals with us last night and her voice is totally awesome.
Next month will be quite busy for gigs too.One thing that is very difficuilt
is getting hold of venue owners or other folks when you are trying to get
a booking confirmed, madame V is the one that is handling most of that and
I can see its stressfull having tried to make a couple of calls whilst she
was on her holidays.

BTW what is a holiday, I seem to remember these in the very distant past but
I suspect they may be a myth.

So we seem to be having lots of
rain is there still a drought ?

On the personal front one is trying
not to take things too seriously at the moment to avoid to much of this

My concentration is a bit crap
too. At the moment I am an old dog trying to learn a few new tricks but there
is a slight mental log jam.

Also my voice seesm to have got rather wayward and completly canged its normal
range, which is a bit disconcerting too, not sure yet if its a good or bad
thing. I don’t do much singing live, but it may be come an issue at some point
if I ever start doing more of it.

 

#213 Down Time

Date Posted: 17th September 2006 at 10:39 pm

 

I am pretending to take a rest this weekend, but actually its not working
that well.I have been getting very wound up and nervy for the last week and
I have no concentration or inclination to get on with anything.

Though at the same time I am pacing about like a cat on a hot tin roof.

I have actually never seen a tin roof, but I digress.

I also feel quite low and I am
going to have fight that. its the second anniversary of my ceasing to take
SSRI’s and on the whole its been quite an interesting ride, but I still cannot
deal with the silences when I am alone with my thoughts.

Interestingly the speed of the
cycle’s between mania and a low are a lot more rapid these days and far less
severe, so a feeling of total worthlessness might only last half a day, which
is a help.

Normal service will be resumed
shortly…..

 

 

 

Date Posted: 10th September 2006
at 09:48 pm

 

A Pleasant weekend interlude.

Starting a with a rather manic
gig in on Friday Barnet, with a couple of guest Trumpet players. The audience
was well tanked up by the end of it and it was a relief to get away at the
end. The sound balance was not good either which always makes things a strain.

Mair (A Welsh Artist who met me and the band at the Worlds End and who has
a very interesting website too, which is well worth a look) who is newish
to the forum came along and said hello in the interval which was nice too.She
is quite involved with the Beaumont society and has suggested that I pop along
to something at some time. I am not to sure what they would make of me to
be honest! I was a member many years ago and it was a helpfull place to start.
Home at about 02:30

Saturday we were at Olivers Bar
in Greenwich and it was a great night in every respect.Much more fun than
Friday. Olivers is a very friendly place too though it is a very intimate
venue. Everyone was in good spirits with quite a lot of laughing and jokeing
going on amoungst the band.We also had Jenny Mac who will be singing with
us occasionally in the future get up and do a number too. Home at about 02:30
again..

Had a lie in on Sunday,Phew.Then
in the afternoon we did a half hour set at the Tavistock festival which took
place just off Portabello Road, great fun and a very good reception too.A
nice Sunny afternoon and just warm enough.There is something about September
that always makes me feel good.I think because we went on our holidays then
when I was a little one.

Chatted to a few of the audience afterwards.Then off to the pub for a swift
half and home.

Next weekend We are having a break,
which is good becasue I am getting a little knackered, and I need to do a
bit of mental catch up. Also there are a few things on the home front that
might need attention too.

 

Shattered but strangely relaxed

 

Date Posted: 5th September 2006
at 12:10 am – Comments (1)

 

Played a brill gig at the Princess
Alexander in Crouch End on Friday. Fantastic reaction and the place was totaly
packed by the end of the evening.Lots of new faces in the crowd too, and hopefully
they will come again, I could do with a few nights like that.just a totaly
amazing buzz.Very favorable comments afterwards about yours truly too thanks
folks. Vamped it up slightly that night with a slightly less demure look.
Don’t think anyone got any pictures though.

Then Saturday down in Chobam surrey
at a little country pub called the Castle Grove, again a very enthusiastic
crowd so great fun to play. Got there quite early and chatted with the bar
staff for a while.The last time I drove down to Chobam I got completly lost
and went around in circles.

Some very nice feedback from a local pro muso who caught our second set was
impressed.Its always good to hear positive stuff from a pro.

Spooky occurance of the day:

Jim our roady, the local muso we
were chatting to and myself all share a birthday on January 18, perhaps I
should start a club.

Back to work today and it was so
rubbish, I was soooo bored.

I expect tommorow will be just as exciting too.

 

OMG its you…

 

Date Posted: 28th August 2006 at
12:09 pm

 

A couple of very good gigs this
weekend with a very good crowd.

The Hornsey Tavern on Friday night, with a slightly larger band as we had
Sax and Trumpet with us, too very good players Antonio and Sam.

Really lifted the whole thing to another level.

Well it finally happened, someone
from the office came to our gig last night at the Salisbury in Green Lanes.Shes
the PA to our Chief Excutive.After we had done the last number she came up
to the stage and said she really enjoyed it, and she did not know that I played
Violin as well as Keyboards.Ironically it took me a moment to recognise her
because she has really big hair, but has it tied back.Then she said something
else and the penny dropped. And I said

its you, and she said “yes of course it is”, so she will be getting
a CD or 2. the strange thing is that she is from west London and was out with
boyfriend and they just happened to drop in by chance. She says she will definiately
be coming to another gig. I think I was more suprised to see her than she
was to see me. As far as I was aware she had no idea that I was tranny before
last night, but she was totaly cool with it. She said that she realised it
was me when Vicky did the introductions for the band.

One more to go at the Haven Bistro
tonight then back to work tommorow.

Then Friday off we go again at the Princess Alexandra in Crouch End which
is a venue we have not played before.

 

Scrotes assorted

 

Date Posted: 25th August 2006 at
06:49 pm

 

Some darling little scrote or scrotes
plural stole one half of our PA. its costing an arm and a leg to get a replacement,
so one is not very pleased at all. However the show must go on as they say.

 

Moving swiftly along

 

Date Posted: 22nd August 2006 at
11:28 pm

 

Well doing the usual stuff I guess,
3 gigs last week at Olivers Jazz Bar in Greenwich on the Friday, which is
a new venue for us.Nice atmosphere but rather bijou as its in a cellar.Oliver
is very nice and has a big moustache, this may have significance I have been
told. Not a bad gig as the audience loved it but the band was suffering from
TFL syndrome.( I will leave you to work that one out) plus there were a few
fluffs.

Greenwich is always a difficult
drive from my bit of London, so I need to find a sensible route may be via
Birmingham?

Saturday during the day doing some
web updates on the shelfs website, then off to the Salisbury at Green Lanes
for the next gig, and on much better form too.Very good fun but a bit shattered
afterwards.

Sunday

dropped the car off to get its MOT done.Chatted to a Client about doing a
website for them. Then off to The Abbey in Kentish Town for a Trio gig.

A good vibe but a bit shattered, also we had a guest appearance from a local
tradition folk player on mandoline on a couple of numbers.There should be
some great pictures from that night as he was very beardy and Kilted with
sporon too. How eclectic is that. Ms Vicky said that my legs had been commented
on in a complimentary way, but I think they may have talking about the mandoline
player whos legs were amazingly hairy.Some chat about violin playing and european
influences.I did’nt have the heart to say that my fiddle playing is of course
traditional battersea style.

 

I have been watching with interest as ever the transitioning threads and I
see that a lot of girls are self-medicating.I can see why though if it was
me I might be worried about the quality of the products that I was getting,
but then we are all adults, and there is a lot of information out there.But
I guess I would say to people get the best advice you can.A friend of mine
who is no longer active at this forum is doing the same thing, but I think
there may be tears before bedtime as their partner is not happy about it.

In many respects things are going
well, but I feel that there are a few bridges to cross before arriving at
the crossroads and having to make a choice. Some parts of my life have opened
up amazingly and I am living quite a different lifestyle than I ever could
have imagined. But I know that there may well be more.

 

Whats occuring then.

 

Date Posted: 11th August 2006 at
10:23 pm

Video, video on the wall …

Well the video that Ralph shot
in Brighton is excellent, and the band look realy good on it, plus the sound
is great too.It should help us get some better gigs.It will look great on
the Elephant Shelf website.What was very noticable is how well the band is
playing now, the ensemble work is much better.It’s very odd watching yourself
on video, and you do become hyper-critical after a while.

Friday night at Joogleberrys

The gig last night was good, great
sound and there should be some really good video too.It was a very energetic
gig, lots of instrument swapping on my part.We did some newish numbers so
that was a bit of a challenge but often the only way to get a new number right
is to do it in live performance then eventually it will sink in. Every one
seemed to be having a good time audiance and band included. The Joogleberry
also has great food too so well worth a visit if you are down that way. Not
quite as full as we would have hoped but there is a lot going on in Brighton
this week so a huge amount of competion. I must get down to Brighton for a
chill-out day some time soon.

Tuesday Night

Down in Brighton at the Joogleberry
Theatre last night. doing a gig with trio.Really tired driving back last night
though so having a very lazy day today.

We were on with Trudy Styles as part of her show, and it went really well.Fab
reponse from the audience, and hopefully we will get a few folks along on
Friday when Elephant Shelf play. It if it go’s half as well as Tuedays gig
it wil be brilliant.

 

Florence at “The Worlds End”
but no Zebadee or Dylan the Rabb

 

Date Posted: 23rd July 2006 at
12:19 pm

 

Did a gig at the Worlds End Finsbury
park last night.A fun night though way too hot for comfort and soaking with
sweat by the end of it, so I suspect not looking quite so good close up.Everyone
putting out loads on energy even though the bands combined age must be about
300 years old! Also met Florence from Roses who lives around the corner and
had a chat to her.It’s always nice to meet new people, especially those from
the forum face to face.Thanks for the drink Florence,you will have to come
to another gig so I can buy you one.Michele O’B on camera duty again,with
her usual entourage at the bar.Plenty of Arsenal supporters in too,(I think
its a sort of football team, but I am not really sure what that is)though
it being so hot quite a few people sat outside on the Pavement where it was
cooler, but we opened the doors up on the quieter numbers and a lot of people
wandered in the catch the last set. Vicky was sporting possibly the shortest
skirt I have seen on a non-working girl under over the age consent, but managed
to carry it off.

Jessie was dressed in a rather demure floaty number which looked great too.
I was in orange which matched my glowing face by the end I suspect.

Tonight the trio is off to play at Abbey in Kentish Town which is a nice little
oub that has food and a suitably trendy camdenish clientel.

 

Hot weekend

 

Date Posted: 16th July 2006 at
10:10 am

 

Played at Viva Viva in Hornsey
on Thursday as the Trio, it was quite well received, though it was wrongly
billed.The Trio gigs can be a bit exausting as two hours of quite energetic
violin playing is usually my part in it, where as with the band I get a nice
sit down at the keyboard a lot of the time.We may work a second guitar part
in on the acoustic gigs on one or two numbers to make a bit of a contrast.
Then Friday night some thing a little bit different, Vicky Martin and I played
at a book launch for Vivian Fogel a local poetess at Crouch End Library.Michele
O’Brian in attendance and taking a few pictures.Not sure what all those litterary
types though of us.I think a few were slightly bemused. A very different kind
of gig and we may have picked up a little bit of interest there.Then off to
the pub and home a bit earlier than usual.Rehearsing some new numbers by Jessie
and Vicky yesterday then off to the pub, and a meal at the Italian restaurant.
We sat outside for that as the weather was allowing it, and for a change it
was a little cooler. Today I am doing a spot playing in Notting Hill at the
Portobello Gold with the Trio again. Should be fun as its a very nice venue.

 

O’Neals
Blackheath

 

Posted: 7th July 2006 at 05:18
pm

 

Did a south of the river gig with
the Shelf last night at O’Neals in Blackheath.

Brilliant atmosphere and the crowd really up for it.Like other O’Neals its
very lively and a mostly youngish crowd, and they loved it, which was nice.

Michele O’Brian taking lots of pictures it being her manor of course.

Sound not the best as a slightly odd shaped space, and also like other O’Neals
it tends to be very noisy, so nothing to subtle, just up front go for it numbers.
Dan was also a big hit on Didgeridoo may be it’s the phallic aspect.The girls
certainly seem to like Dan.How many bands do you know with 2 trannys and a
6′ 6” Antipodean playing a Didgeridoo? Thats got to be a USP(Unique Selling
Point). Parking in Blackheath a bit rubish though, but managed to slip in
around the corner.On the drive over had to go via Peckham and intrigued to
see the Police checking cars for Guns, well its different from dogy tax discs
I suppose.Traffic was a bit of a pain so I must find a better route for the
next gig as its going to be a regular venue.

 

The Good the Good and the Ugly

 

Psychedelic Date Posted: 3rd July
2006 at 11:24 pm

 

A fun weekend with the band.On
Friday played a wedding do at Lauderdale House, great fun. Quite amuzing as
we had an improptue dance troupe of little ones, circling in front of the
stage area with Jessie leading them like the Pied Piper at one point. Punters
well pleased and everybody happy.

Next day down to Bracknell as the Trio to Play at the ‘Big Day Out’ which
is a one day arts and music festival and we played in a mini Circus style
tent.Was well received and we sold a few CD’s too. Then a stroll around and
chated to a couple of punters, if it had not been so hot I think I would have
stayed a bit longer, but it was just too hot.

Sunday at home for most of the day and working on a new recording but it was
just so hot.Then off to Camden to do a gig at the Fidlers Elbow.

Got there a bit early and Dan was already in the pub which was almost completely
empty except one family. Not a good sign but eventually a few punters turned
up though not a huge crowd, but very enthusiastic.Very hot and looking like
*Bleep* at the end and glowing more than a little.

Landlord not impressed though. So won’t be doing that one again.

Can’t win em all.

 

Date Posted: 30th June 2006 at
04:42 pm

 

Got a day off, its boiling hot
out, so went down to the Kings Road to look in the shops, only around the
corner for me but way out of my price league except for John Lewis at Sloane
Square but they don’t have a sale on.

Its great that girls are getting taller these days to as it makes my size
almost allways available, except the shoes which are 9s unless there sandals
in which case its 8.

Also doing a lot of planning work
to figure if I can make sufficient to live on with this muso stuff.Looks like
I am going to have to learn a little basic accounting too.Spreadsheets fortunately
hold fears for me Looks like long term I may be able to be a full time musician
which means being full time in every other respect.

In the short time it means a lot more music in my life which is cool.

So maybe I am running away from the Civil Service to join the circus.Good
I here you cry there a far too many clowns there already.

How this will affect the domestics I don’t know yet.We will have to wait and
see. My SO is not a party animal which makes things difficult if your in a
band. She came to a recent gig and sat in the corner with a face like a slapped
arse for 2 hours, so she is not going to get envolved. The Shelf is playing
at a Weding tonight in Highgate so its posh frock on for that.It could do
with being a little cooler by tonight though, but it stops me eating too much
I guess.

Tomorrow our Trio ‘The Cleavage
of Death’ are playing as part of the ‘Big Day Out’ which is in Bracknell at
Southhill Park, should be great fun I think. Vicky was very excited as she’s
got a picture of her grinning manically in the brochure that she picked up
in Smiths.How cool is that then.

Then Sunday night my first proper gig in camden as I missed last weeks one
because the car was having a senior moment.

Then next week we do all again only more so…You might be suprised to know
how little confidence I actually have, and although I love to play on a bad
its a real struggle to get out there, but once comfortably esconced on a stage
it’s OK

I did hear the odd rumour that a lot of performers are cronically shy, well
that will be me then, may be we are just looking for that little bit of approval.

I have now put a forum on www.elephantshelf.com
so we can interact a with our followers, should be fun once we have a few
people registered as at the moment we are useing email lists for a lot of
stuff but forums are great as there instant of course.I need to do a few hacks
to get it looking right but its written in php and I am ok with that, though
I am the worlds slowest at actually writeing code, and hack other peopels
about quite quickly.

If only our work place woulde go open source we could save £100000’s
but then I don’t want them to because I want less work not more.

Cool theres a bit of a breeze starting up now so that should make tonight
a litle bit more fun.Almost toenail painting time now so must dash.

 

Things look better in the morning

 

Date Posted: 24th June 2006 at
11:58 am

 

A good nights sleep seems to have
helped a bit. Its sometimes nice to have time and space to think. Often when
you have the kind of mood swings that I do its hard to explain to people and
the easiest option is just to keep away from folks for a little while so that
snapping, biteing or scratching is not an issue ! I think if I can change
my work regime it will help because my life style is not really quite right
though it may not help in the current situation at home. There is a certain
level of denial from my partner about the way things are and where they are
going.We had a crisis last year and separated and then got back together 6
months later but the world had changed a lot for me in that time. Things are
not sorted out yet and seem to have returned to a similar situation than before
I left,When you have to people who have long term mental problems living together
it can get very difficult.

The problem occurs if one person is aware of there problems and seeks help
and the other admits they have problems but when given profesisonal help and
counselling will not engage with it, but then subsqently they complain that
its has been of no help.

My SO is now on anti-depressents after finally agreeing to take them after
many years, and this has reduced tension, but not helped with the other problems.
As you can imagine this can cause more than a little stress.

After a few years respite from suffering from severe anxiety myself that particular
problem has started to rear its head again, but I am starting to deal with
it again.

It realy is not helpful when you are off to do a set somewhere as before the
show can be pretty stressful at the bests of times anyway.I suspect I need
some more councelling, maybe a top-up.

Anyway time to get the show on the road again I think.

 

Not that good a day

 

Date Posted: 24th June 2006 at
12:08 am –

 

My mood has gone right down to
the bottom again. Lots of minor league agravation and something really annoying
that I will mention here if its not resolved by the morrow.

 

Over under sideways down

 

Date Posted: 22nd June 2006 at
11:11 am

 

Ok then. I am about to put a proposal
to work that I go part time so I would do 3 days a week. This would be perfect
for me as I can then really ramp up the music activitys which I would love
to do and possible also do some frelancing on the IT front too. They should
go for it because it will save them money, which they need to do.I can get
by on the lesser amount but it would mean a lot more time for all that band
stuff. Also for fixing a few other things that are wrong in my life too. A
lot has become clear to me in the last year or so and I am stoping blaiming
over people for the weird shit that happens in my life.Yes sometimes stuff
is over peoples faults, but when you ignore the signs and do nothing about
whats happening then I guess its your own fault for doing nothing about ought.

Anyone here on myspace.com ?I have
a website there and its been quite interesting to see who has contacted me,
a lot of bands and musos which was the point of going there, but also a few
guys of a certain age looking to make another kind of music together.Its kind
of amusing really and flattering on the whole and I am sure that some of them
would be very nice but I am only looking for musical action right now.

Boring tecky stuff.Finally got
around to sorting out a new router so now when I use my other computer via
its wirless link it stays on line.Any one still got a PC still runing windows
98 ? My old pc with all the music stuff on is win 98 and I just can’t be bothered
to upgrade.Before all you nerdy types start shouting linex at me, a lot of
my software would not run on that platform but I agree its very good for a
lot of other stuff. Also still got a steam powered laptop that cost me an
arm and a leg and is virtually useless now, though it makes quite a good sampler
and a drum machine.

Before I had an IT Job I was fascinated by programming, now I seem to have
forgotten most of what I knew and I find it really boring, I supose everything
go’s in cycles, though I gave up going on cycles a couple of years back when
I was still on anti-depressants as I had a slight tendancy to fall off.

So I got rid of the bike, though I do walk a bit now to compensate.

So how did we get from Myspace to bikes. Who knows, and who cares.

Finally got a very long and swishy white skirt to look suitably summerish
in and so now the weather has mutiated back in to proper english weather as
in a bit cloudy with the odd sunny bit.

Got my first outdoor gig at a street
festival in Camden this weekend, so that will be different. We are doing an
hour there and then doing another gig later in the evening. Details on the
www.elephantshelf.com website as ever. Actually my car playe dup so I did’nt
make in the end.Shame

I notice that quite a few pictures
from my websites are turning up other peoples websites, now I could block
that quite easily but its ok I have got the bandwidth to spare, so maybe its
a form of flattery.I found one on a goth RG’s site. Actually I am in the picture,
it was taken about 3 or 4 years ago when I last went to Scarborough with Roses,
and was taken by the very wonderfull Helen Bach (late of this forum) and now
mostly a native New Yorker I think. I last saw Helen at one of our gigs just
before Christmas with her partner Petra, but I have sort of lost touch since
then.

Actually now with the band and
work its difficult to keep up todate with people really.My Social circle is
really mostly Elephant Shelf related now, and people I meet through the band.I
am making a lot of new non-trans friends that way though, but its a shame
I haven’t been able to envolve a few of my other friends.There lives are still
quite compartmentalised though, where as mine has not got the same defining
boundarys. The next step would be the day job and its a thought thats in my
mind.The time is not quite right yet though but in a year or so maybe.

Well one step at a time, I suppose.

 

That tingling feeling

 

Mood: Cool Date Posted: 16th June
2006 at 10:38 pm

 

Played the Lion Lounge with the
new slightly smaller incarnation of Elephant Shelf.Turned in to a very good
night, with the band sounding good and a quite a good crowd.There was a slight
interuption to the procedings as there was mains voltage leaking to places
its should not have been.This was hinted at by crackling noises like distant
lighting bolts crackling interferance on an old transister radio. So after
experinencing a slightly unnerving tingling feeling there was some frantic
power lead swaping which fixed the problem, but it was an interesting moment.
After that things went very well. So I was feeling in quite a good mood this
morning at work for a change.

I am feeling a bit less stressed that I was, I am not sure if its just that
I am resigned to the fact that things are somewhat out of my control and I
should get a sense of perspective about everything.

 

Its sooo Hot

 

Date Posted: 11th June 2006 at
11:50 pm

 

Feeling slightly boiled today. Out last night playing at Hornsey Tavern, a
fair night but so hot it was hard to keep the energy up and one really glows
big time. Today over to Vickys to get her computer back to health.Seems to
have worked Ok.

Got a great a pair of red wedge shoes that V had got that did not fit and
just like Cinders they fit me fine.Wondered how well they would go down at
work.Not yet tiger. Well pleased.Played with the trio at Viva Viva in the
evening, not that good a vibe though.Then another quick drink in the Hornsey
Tavern and home.Could do with it being a bit cooler but the make up is keeping
together just about.

 

Blimey people actualy read this
stuff

 

Mood: Curmudgeon Date Posted: 10th June 2006 at 01:30 am

 

I do get a certain pleasure from posting my trivia here, and its sort of useful
at times.The weird summer cold seems to be retreating after a truly epic battle
lasting about 3 weeks, but I still feel very tired. Last night went down to
watch Jimmy C and the Blues Dragons (no not what your thinking ! ) and sat
in on the second set along with madam V and her ever complaining amp which
started playing up again,bless it.Its never been the same since it was dropped
on its head, in much the same way as I was at about 9 months old.

Never did me any harm though I do have a flat head.I think in the late 50’s
it was some quick test for the long term viabilty of offspring or something
in a similar vain to tin baths and outside loos which I suspect they still
have in uncouth regions beyond the northern arc of the M25.

It has crossed my mind a few times
recently that it might be time to capitalise on the bricks and morter (well
re-enforced concreate and breaze blocks actually) and swan off to cheaper
climbs possibly somewhere in the aformentioned uncouth regions,rather than
over the rainbow though it would mean waving “So long” to a few
things. I am reliably informed that there is life in other regions of England
and I do have some evidence to support this but.

Apparently theres even music…

Today in the office I felt totaly
alien, more and more I feel like I am just passing through. The people there
are very nice, and I would miss some of them, but I don’t socialise much with
them mostly because I am too tight to buy any drinks of course.There is one
totaly stunning girl that works there whos all of 25 I should think and it
always lifts my day to speak to her and makes me forget how crusty and ancient
I am for just a few moments.

Perhaps there is no escape.

 

Wind of change

Date Posted: 7th June 2006 at 10:47 pm

Not sure why but I have a strong urge to vanish off the raydar for a while.

I am tired, my perspective on life is getting quite distorted and every thing
feels like a role-playing game.

 

 

 

Now what do you want if ..

Mood: Twisted Date Posted: Yesterday at 12:54 am

Still feeling rough and got a cough,
went back to work today and its still rubbish. I really wish I could just
walk away and leave it all behind.

I don’t hav eany where else to go though so thats not really an answer. I
am not really that good at anything and I always feel so tired these days.
I am feeling depressed again, the attraction of going to bed an staying there
is getting stronger all the time.

I need a break from the work environment,
but if I take anytime off at all everything just gets worse and the pile of
crap gets bigger and bigger.

There is nothing worse than never being able to complete anything and thats
the situation that I find myself in. Today I have only been swearing under
my breath, but I am sure I could escalate this by the end of the week to a
full on stream of profanities, though that sounds as though it might require
a lot of energy to do.

My dreams are getting a bit tattered
around the edges too and my capacity for hope has diminished.Its terribly
difficult when one is surrounded by frightfully enthusiastic types and having
to nod in agreement and say yes it will be wonderfull later, but there is
a huge gap in my life and something is missing.I also feel as if I am invisible
and as though I don’t exist, its a very weird feeling and I have had it before
but not for many years though.

That irrepressible Jumbo that is
the Shelf continues to thunder across the plains to the watering holes of
North East London.Its all starting to be come a bit of a blur now though.
We had gigs on Saturday at the Salisbury with a couple of Roses girls along
too in Green lanes and at Maddens in Finchley on Sunday which went well enough.Then
we had a rehersal on the Monday, which is a rare phenomina now.We are a proper
band now as we have a rusty Ford Transit too to cart our stuff about in.It
has somewhat excentric doorlocks, but I am sure we will come to grips these
eventually. Jim our roadie use his archaine knowledge to gain entrance to
the vehicle which mysteriously seems capable of locking its self when left
unattended, a truly remarkable charactaristic, and it still proudly displays
a helradic device with the following motto “No tools left in the van
overnight”.

I put a couple more tracks on my
soundclick music site tonight, so I continue to insinuate myself across the
internet in my attempt at world domination.If thats alright with you of course.

 

193 Human nature, what is it ?

Date Posted: 26th May 2006 at 12:55 pm

I watched the news on tele last night and saw the extraordinary video of the
murder of 20 year old Daniel Pollen in a car park. A completely motiveless
crime with no provocation. Of course the law states that is not murder as
it was not pre-meditated.It just completely does my head in.Why would any
wish to do such a thing, what goes on in other peoples heads…

I can understand anger, I can understand rage I know what those things are.Maybe
I could get my head around it if there was a arguement that escalated in to
a fight though it would still have been just as tragic.

It is at these times that I am reminded that perhaps old MaggieThatcher was
right with her famous quote “There is no such thing as society”
as there can have been no sense in which the perpertraitors of this attack
could have felt any sense of obligation to social norms or there fellow human
beings in general.Are we now so isolated as individuals that we feel no moral
obligations to our peers ?

 

192 Still feeling very wierd

 

Mood: Psychedelic Date Posted:
25th May 2006 at 10:13 pm

Not quite recovered from this Fluey type thing, still very dizzy, and acheing
in some very strange places.Was supposed to be out tonight at the Lion Lounge
doing an acoustic night. Will be the first gig that I have missed in 2 years,
so perhaps not too bad a record.I rang work and things are sort of OK, so
I think they will survive.

I could just about sleep for a week though, so thank goodness its the bank
holiday so maybe I will be functional by the end of it all.Trouble is when
I get back we are straight in to the audit again.Ho Hum.

 

 

191 Is it time to look for a new
job

Date Posted: 24th May 2006 at 06:59 pm

But seriously, may be it is time to think about doing something different,
like road sweeping maybe, or bespoke earwax removal while you wait, or perhaps
a “Dial a insult” service or maybe something really exciting like
stacking boxes. Did’nt go to work today as this cold/Flue type thing got really
bad yesterday, temperature went right up acheing all over, and had a very
uncomfortable night but I am feeling a bit better today, though still coughing
rather a lot.

Rang up HR to tell them I would not be in, and was asked what is wrong with
you “where would you like to start ” I said “I am irritable,
slightly paranoid someone is danceing very badly just above the bridge of
my nose in hiking boots,and rivers of snot are streaming from my bodily orifices,
and I think that this may reduce my effectiveness”.

HR person “Yes, but whats wrong with you”… No only joking but
I was taken aback to be expected to list symptoms.perhaps I should have gone
in to more explicit graphic detail.had some very lurid dreams last night too.

I shall continue my free-form trapeze act with out the safety net of a spell
checker.

Don’t you just love the internet, “Nation shall speak drivel unto nation”
or in my case snot.

 

 

190 Two flat tyres

 

Date Posted: 22nd May 2006 at 08:03
pm

 

Got off the bus and walked past
my car, noticed it had got 2 flat tyres both on the same side.Very odd as
I check my tyre pressure regularly in fact about 3 days before so it looks
like some little *bleep*s having a go. Not very pleased at all.

 

189 Hi Ho Hi Ho ifs off to the
Anual Lecture we go

 

Date Posted: 22nd May 2006 at 08:39
am

Got the annual lecture today in a big hotel not a million miles from westminister,
and being a goverrnment department we have have got the jolly old Home sec
popping down for a chat and to tell us what he expects we are doing about
thoose criminal types.(No I don’t work in

Imigration and Nationalty).I shall try not to cough and sneaze too loudly
though. I can’t stand these sort of do’s but luckily they only occur about
once a year, so I wil be strangly attired in my bloky suite which comes out
once a year on average, with only my IT person pony tail to indicate who I
am.

Its still quite odd working as a bloke when I now live most of live the predominant
prt of life looking mostly like a girly as Ms Tall might phrase it.

Just time for a quick tinkle on the piano before I go though.

Maybe I will write a song about:

“Beechams Flu Plus, cause its just such wonderfull stuff, I can ever
get enough.

Whoo, overdose…”

In E flat based on on of the II
V I harmonic sequences, a light swing ballard perhaps.

OMG I am rambling nurse the screens…

 

188 Sore Throat

 

Date Posted: 22nd May 2006 at 12:57
am

Got a really annoying sore throat now. Did a Shelf gig last night at O’Neals
in Woking with a very young crowd, they all seemed to be having a jolly good
time, it’s always nice to have a really a appreciative crowd. Noticed when
we finished that the local constabulary was much in evidence on the streets.Every
one good natured and enjoying themselves though and a real plus point doors
at the stage end so did not have to do the excuse me dance loading up to go
home.Heard a rumour that it might get a bit lively and it was in a good way,
people up and dancing after the first number.

To bed at 03:00 as usual, but got
a Sunday off as it’s my wedding aniversary today, 19 years and still married
ish.

First rule of trannying, tell your
partner sooner rather than later, its only taken mine about 17 years to forgive
me for this…

 

187 Slighty more with it today

Date Posted: 20th May 2006 at 11:41 am

Out last night with the band at the “Bordello”, attendence is still
dire though.The venue is nice but its just not getting the punters so maybe
we should go bi-monthly and see how that works out.

An unexpected suprise though as
we went across the road during the break to see a band in the basement of
the restaurant opposite who turned out to be John Ethridge (Jazz & Rock
player thats done just about everything) & Deardry Cartwright (she did
Rock School for the BBC a few years back) and a rather good drummer and a
women on bass that looked very familiar too.

They did a couple of jazz standards, “Love for sale” and “Insensitive”,
but we could only stay for about 20 minutes as we had to go back over the
road to play our second set, though we were somewhat reluctant to leave.Our
Bass played Robby has played with John Etheridge deep in the mists of time.It
was great and I think it gave us a bit of a lift when we got back on to play.

Peeing down when I went to load
up the car to go home, and the doorman from a nearbye club started chating
me up. I think he must have left his contact lenses at home! But quite amusing,
still don’t really know how to handle that sort of thing though.

 

186Very tired still and having
the usual problem

Date Posted: 19th May 2006 at 12:26 pm – Comments (1)

Not doing particulary well this week, just very tired and irritable all the
time.

I am feeling depressed in the usual sense and I am finding everything a strain.
It really shows that depression is not anything too do with wants or desires
as in some senses I have got everything I really need, and theres nothing
that I crave that would make me happy except may be one thing?

I still don’t have the confidence I need, I have a lot more than I used to
but just not enough to get it really right.

The whole band thing is just getting
very tiring now. I enjoy playing but fitting in in with the day job is totaly
sapping my energy at the moment.

We have played 65 gigs this year so far, which is a decidedly non-trival amount
so I think I have a little bit of an excuse to nackered.

I was watching the last video we had done of our brighton gig last week and
its very good, the playing is good and the sound quality on the video is excellent
too. Still can’t really manage to keep smileing though, but as I am not centre
stage maybe thats not too much of a problem.

Interesting watching your performance after the event because your perception
of how well it went and how you were playing is related very much to mood
and I did not think it sounded that good at the time but watching the video
I was pleasantly suprised to find the performance was quite good..

My wig is getting nackered too,
so I must do something about that urgently too, I have seen a couple of styles
I like so I just need to spend that money I guess !

Doing a Bordello gig tonight and
Nick our Sax players band ‘Balalouda’ is doing a set at 10:30 which I am looking
forward too, as its latin music which I really like though I don’t know too
much about, they will be rushing in hot foot from doing a set at another venue
too so lets hope that they can pull it off OK.

I am currently working from home
doing so I am typing with bothe hands one on Roses and the other on a word
document

 

185 Joogleberrys again

Date Posted: 14th May 2006 at 11:04 am

Down to Brighton to play the Joogleberry Playhouse, not a bad evening though
not as full the last gig we had there.A very good audience though.Home at
03:40 and totaly shattered.

Jessica Green came along so had a brief chat in the interval about music and

 

 

The sun is shineing and the
wheels are just about still on the Bus

Date Posted: 12th May 2006 at 09:50 am

Just starting to do some catch up work for my audit, which is going to involve
creating some documentation for the caseworking systems I have built for work.With
luck once I have documented these they will fire me then I might actually
get on with the rest of my life So here I am wasting a couple of minutes with
the journal again.Its more comfortable working at home but its difficult to
motivate myself. Still time to plunge in.

 

83Another Friday and Sturday night
down the pub then

 

Date Posted: 7th May 2006 at 12:20
pm

Gig on Friday at “The Old Diary”, not bad quite a few happy punters
but a slightly low key vibe.Ms Vickys amp deceided to thow a wobbly but other
wise OK.Then Saturday back at “Hornsey Tavern”, again not a bad
night though somewhat low key too.Perhaps not helped by it being a wet night.Also
managed to catch the whole of Dr Who before I went out, I really like the
new episodes, great stuff.Usually I miss then as I am on my way to a gig.
Not as packed at the Hornsey as last time we were there though. We had a deping
Sax player called Antonio who plays with Jimmy C’s band , and he seemed to
enjoy it a lot and was quite complementary which is always nice.Every one
that plays with the band seems to pick up on the family feel it has. He also
plays violin and was quite intrigued as to how I got my Electric Violin sound.I
was tempted to say in my case brute force and ignorance !

I have acctually felt very mellow this weekend for a change, not sure why
maybe its the coming of spring thats given me just a little lift laterly.
I feel a strong erge to get a few new outfits sorted out as figureing out
a suitable sartorial combination is getting a bit difficult theses days whilst
trying to ring the changes sufficiantly too.

Should be a fun week coming up too as we have got the auditors in on Wednesday,
and its not the most fun part of my job on the whole.Whoopee.

Need to get a couple of subsitute wigs too, as the main one I have is looking
good but not fairing quite as well as I had hoped, so must get that done fairly
soon.

 

 

 

182 Strange evening in the pub

 

Date Posted: Yesterday at 02:50
pm

 

Went to the Lion Lounge last night
to Watch Delta Tom play, a very slow night and not many people in. A youngish
girl who said she was 18, (makes you wonder for a start) deceided that as
the lone lone tranny in the pub she would get to know me, she said “Your
very shy”, which I think is a true statement.She then said we should
go on on shopping trips, do the sites I should come for a meal,and just about
every possible activity that you could mention.This was quite flattering to
start with and I tried in my slight more than half asleep way to pay attention.She
then told me everyone hated her, which I thought I was a bit extreme,and then
told me I should’nt be affraid to “live my life” so I gently explained
that on the whole I was and enjoying it my fashion but she seemd to have got
it in to her head that I was a repressed minority.I explaned that it was my
night off from the band, but that I did have a fair few things going on, which
included the odd few gigs to play so I was not exactly closeted.I susgested
at this point that perhaps she should coem and see the band, though I doubt
if it would have been her thing, as she asked me if I was in to Kylie.At which
I point I laughed as its one of the statements that could be taken many ways
as I am sure could its subject :evilsmile

Most of Elephant Shelf apart from our Leader Ms Vicky were in the pub on an
off duty night chilling out. I moved to a different seat and she followed,
she wanted to swap phone numbers and email address and so forth but by this
point I was getting a little worried as her behaviour was getting louder and
more excitable.She told Terry our drummer that his socks were horrible and
his shoes I think, which is an opinion rather than a fact, he grinned and
smiled back. She then deceided that “Delta Tom” was not really what
she wanted to hear and started moaning about the music. She then repeated
for about the 20th time “Live your life”, to which I feeably responded
“Yes I am actually” which almost sounds Berty Woosterish. She was
insisting that I must leave with her I declined 3 times and she went off in
a bit of a huff.

I was quite freaked out and said to Jim our roady I think I have got my first
stalker.

I could not tell from her behaviour if she just was lonely, Drunk, high on
something or all of these, but it really disturbed me for some reason that
I can’t put my finger on.Maybe she is some one that is vunerable or at risk.
Even worse going to work this morning I saw her double just around the corner
from my office..

 

181 Back to the grindstone then

 

Date Posted: 3rd May 2006 at 10:40
pm – Comments (0)

Went to the office:unfortunately it was still there, loads of people off sick,
with all sorts of horrors.Not too busy a day as in not too many interuptions
for a change so I was actually able to get on with something.Suspect that
tommorow wil not go quite so smoothly. Also need to go to the post office
today and the queue took 22 minutes to get to the window.Ouch.Discussed how
the band was doing with work collegues and realised I was talking my self
in to a corner as I try not too disclose to much about it for fear of having
to explain the whole deal.I figure if anyone really wants to find out they
only have to do a WHOIS search on the internet and follow a few links between
websites.Told interested party I would bring them a Cd: track listing but
no band name or cover.. Explained that if ever really breaks big then it might
make the day job a bit awkward as I am fairly invisible in teh work environment
being the geeky/nerdy one, that occasional launchs forth from my office muttering
strange and incomprehensible oaths.I have told people in the work environment
but all bar one have now left.

 

180 Haven a good time in Whetstone

 

Date Posted: 2nd May 2006 at 01:04
pm – Comments (0)

Smashing gig at a restaurant called the Haven last night.A special mayday
party night.Sold out.Actually I really like the sound of that so I will say
it again.Sold Out.Oh that feels good.Steady on now old thing don’t get too
excited….

120 happy punters and really nice food too, could do with a few more like
that I must admit.

Slight panic on the sound check when a horrendous hum arose from the depths
of roadie hell, but after some tradition Elephant Shelf curses and hair pulling
and a head scratching dance and sending Jim the Roadie on a wild goose chase
it was banished.

Every one on good form too and the restauranter Julius over the moon with
our performance too.

Home at about 02:00.

A chill out day today then back
to the day job tommorow, who knows what horrors lurk in that darkness that
is our liitle outpost of the Civil Service, crap and more crap one suspects…

 

179 Sunday night at The Abbey

Date Posted: 1st May 2006 at 11:58 am – Comments (0)

It was alright, much better fun that I expected, Vicky seems to have recovered
from that bruised foot and even spoke the chap that did the stage dive who
was in attendance last night and is actually a big fan of ours.Denied to Vickythat
he was actually a hit man hired by me in a badly judged take over bid ! Must
hire a professional next time, costs more but I think you get results. :evilsmile
Much fun and a good evening on the whole.Actually managed to sell a couple
of cds too,admitedly to my fan club members though so I suspect this dos’nt
really count :classic: A couple of girls were very dissapointed that desperate
Dan Foster (Kiwi Blues Harp Player) was not in attendeance as it was the Trio
that night, but they are going to see the whole band on there home turf at
the “The Old Diary” next week. Figuring out what to wear when you
have a run of gigs is quite difficult too.SO was slightly disparaging about
my first choice of outfits and too be fair it did’nt work so did a quick change
to soemthing that hopefully did.Ralphy in attendence with that Video camera
again too, he has filmed 27 gigs, so there is a bit of editing work to be
done I feel. Pie was as ever stunning:gorgeous: still at least it stops the
audience looking at us…..

 

178 Hello Journal nice to have
you back

 

Date Posted: 30th April 2006 at
12:24 pm – Comments (0)

Heres a brief catch-up: Lots of gigs all fairly good responses from the crowd
and I have also now got one of my songs “Just another someone” in
to the Shelfs repertoire and its great fun to play and quite good fun to be
centre stage for a while. There are some potentaily very good gigs in the
pipe line too. I am now looking at getting some material pressed for release
and maybe attempting to sell it at gig’s via Jim our roady who walks the floor
with his quaint London cry of “Only a fiver” or something similar.We
have even been doing the odd sortie in to Notting Hill which seems to have
been favorably received too. I did a spot with the Trio at yesterday at Ten
West which is sort of like a retro feel 60’s bar, a sort of combination of
Austin Powers set, Night Club, (except it’s a bar) and lots of red everywhere.Chatted
to very nice lady violinist who I have seen before that will play with us
at some point when we are in the bad lands out west again, she enjoyed our
set and was quite complementary about my playing.Blush Blush. Also in attendance
was Michelle O’Brian of course, with out whom no event is complete, and the
sun was shineing too.Then on in the evening to play Maddens in Finchley, a
very good crowd though slighty over enthusiastic.One very drunk individual
fell over the monitor and and Vicky ended up with a bruised foot.That aside
it was a fairly good gig. Darcy was in attendance with the SO and friends
so said hello briefly. Home to bed at 04:00 AM

Off to do another Trio thing at the Abbey in Kentish Town tonight.

 

Down at the crossroads 10th February
2006 – 09:59 AM

A lot has happening in the last
year or so which has lead me seriously think about what I want to do with
my remaining ones.When my farther died a few years ago at the age of 63 having
retired early, it turned out he had cancer(Lung Prostate and other places)
which he was not aware of, he got a slight back ache and within 6 weeks of
leaving work he was dead.

Theres a lot of hot air being spouted
in relation to my life at the moment and I would really like to say that I
am as enthused as everyone else around me with the band, but I have some serious
misgivings in relation to how much of a career it could be for me in the long
term. I am not some on to make decesisions in too much of a hurry( insert
correct spelling because I can never get that word spelt right) but if the
band takes off then what ?

I am 49 and maybe the band might
have a couple of good years, but the prospect of having to try and find a
job in my mid 50’s is not an appealing one. I also have a large body of recorded
works and compositions which I do not wish to consign to the dustbin of fate.I
think of myself as composer/musician and what I need to do is continue to
write, I need to express myself that way.I have a lot to say. Maybe it’s Time
to go back to the drawing board.

 

[Entry #167]

 

In recovery ish 9th February 2006
– 02:05 PM

 

A bit rubbish but manageing

Rather tired today, spent the morning re-mastering a cd of stuff I released
in 1997, it was on sale on the web, but only did about 200 or so copys, and
most of may availble on down load in other places I think.The album was put
togther just before my first proper mental breakdown, which happened in late
98 I think. Lyrically its quite interesting I think listening to it again.So
I will put it Sounclick and see if it gets any reaction there. One of the
companys that sold it has disappeared in to the web vortex never to be seen
again, so I though I would check it out again. Interesting to hear what I
was writing in the 90’s and it stands up quite well I think.I just got an
enquiry about recently to soo I have made a few copys.I might risk giving
a copy to a couple of the folks in the band just to see what they think. I
can’t find the artwork though, as I think it’s been lost in the mists of time.Interestingly
it was also the last thing I recorded on analogue tape until the Elephant
shelf sessions we have just done in the last 2 days.

I think I am going to put it on sale as a digital download though, and see
how it works.

Not very quiet at the flat as they have the builders in next door doing central
heating works so loads of banging and sawing and so on. Still they should
be knocking off soon I suspect.Or not !

Got a gig tonight but only 1 hour at The Lion Lounge, on at 10:45, then tommorow
Friday at the Victoria in Highgate at 08:30 which is one of my favorites as
a more intimate gig, then Saturday we are at the Salisbury which is a very
big pub in Green Lanes(also has a good selection of food too, starting at
10:00, and we will be getting Ralphy to video that for us as its a very good
venue visually, so should be fun.

No phone calls from work which could be very good or very bad depending on
how you look at it.

Remember patience is a virtue but its also a name.

[Entry #166]

 

Day 2 in the studio 8th February
2006 – 11:03 PM

Went very well, we have managed to get 5 tunes recorded, which is pretty good
going really. So all in all a very good experience. By the end of the second
day it is very difficult to tell what you are hearing as the ears get tired.Went
in to a very nice pub called the Mucky Pup to eat, very Islingtonish I suppose
but rather nice.

[Entry #165]

 

First day in’t Studio 8th February
2006 – 12:00 PM

Well, a very positive day once we got going, managed to put down 4 numbers,
may be able to do another one today if lucky.

I think Vicky and I may have been their first Trannys in that studio thoughs
it very near to Camden so perhaps not. Its quite a job recording an 8 peice
band though but Kelly, who is runing the sessions got some very good results,
though we will not here any finsihed mix’es for a while.

Basically the band is playing live in the studio, and there will only be a
couple of overdubs from our sax player, the idea to catch the energy of the
shelf in full flo.Its dificult though with out the audience being there and
the extra adrenaline that kicks off. But one track was a perfect first take,
which was amazing. Can’t get over the way the band is playing now, we have
really come along way, though there is always a long way to go.

We are recording on 24 track analog tape, then transfering to pro-tools on
a Mac, so hopefully we will get that warm sound.The shelf have a lot of numbers
that run for about 7 min’s, and the multi track tapes run for 15, so theres
been a lot of transfering. Kelly is pleased with the session so far, which
is great,and is very sympathetic to the music.Kelly also getting the sort
of warm vocal sound that has previously elluded me when I have recorded our
singer Jessie Pie, so I must ask him what the secret is.

[Entry #164]

 

Exotic promise 7th February 2006
– 12:44 AM

 

Well the rumour mill is flying around very fast now, and maybe there is a
change in the air.At the moment anything seems possible, but maybe, just maybe
its the perfumed scent of pigs in formation defying gravity again.

A Great weekend and it ended on quite a positive note, but there was a bit
of domestic friction.Which continued unhelpfully as I was trying to go to
work.I managed to get through the day with out any road blocks, but I am finding
the day job boring, the irony is that I have got a strangle hold on it in
some senses,which has been the result of under-investment which means that
if I leave or my collegue or both us leave together, and there have been a
few times when I have just though enough is enough.

maybe I am just beginiing to feel a little old, hope is springing eternal
all around but I would’nt know a good thing if I fell over it at the moment.

It feels as if there is a bannana skin around every corner, and just maybe
there is.

Tommorow God willing the Shelf will be going into studio’s in Islington to
start recording tracks, so I am touching lots of wood. I need to get myself
in to a positive state of mind for it really, still it will be fun letting
some one else work the faders for a change. I wonder if they have got a canteen
?

Veggie food, well theres loads in in that area so should be alright. A bit
worried that the sessions are so long 10 hours on day one and 8 the next.

As we are a band that plays everything live, it seems a bit much, could be
a lot of sitting around I suspect too.Actually thats OK they can wake me up
when something is happening I supose. Maybe I can wander in dreams.

 

Work what is it good for ? 1st
February 2006 – 09:05 AM

I am just so bored with the day
job right now.Well perhaps bored is the wrong word, but at the moment there
seems to be a constant round of change for changes sake, so everything is
constantly behind.

Add to that the usual inabilty of senior managers to realise that it is not
always possible to get results in the kind of time scales that they are suggesting
which are often quite laughable as they have no idea of the complexity of
the logic required when you are writing the code and the fact that there are
only two of us in the team.Its just getting very silly really.

I am not going to worry about it, but if I get really pissed off I will vote
with my feet I think. In the last year I don’t think I have had a complete
week off, except on one occasion when I was still getting calls from work.

 

Can’t think of one 30th January
2006 – 12:44 AM

 

Played a cracking gig at Maddens
East Finchley On Saturday night.Very busy in the pub and one of the punters
got the band Champers too. A late finish too at about 01:50, but I hardly
noticed we had been playing that long.

Lots of happy punters including one who came and asked a few questions and
I mentioned that I had a day job and was a civil servant, which amused him
greatly I think.Quite a few folks came some distance to the venue too.

It looks like this could be one of a our regular venues too.

An evening like that gets you on quite a high though.

Another boring Journal entry 27th
January 2006 – 08:39 PM

 

Out last night at the Lion Lounge
doing a Shelf gig.The Lion lounge is a replacement for the mighty Queens Head
in Crouch end which was an Elephant Shelf regular venue and also where Gloria
made her TG live on stage debut.The Queens has been turned in to a gastro
pub, and the regulars have been missing there fix of live music, but the Lion
is now being promote as the new venue by Shelf Life Productions, (I am sure
you can figure out who that is) and will feature a lot of the bands that use
to play at the Queens.

We will be there about once a month if it takes off.

Its a nice venue comfortable and although it has not got a stage like the
Queens, its comfortable and is now TG friendly by the royal assent of Queen
Victoria and Princess Di Booths around the side, pool table, it also serves
food which looks quite good though I can never eat at a gig, some of the band
were eating there, and came back on stage having consumed some thing nice.

Slight mishap as I forgot to change the battery in my electric violin and
it went silent half way through a number.Whoops

So in bed by 02:00 and back in the office at 10:00 today.

[Entry #159]

 

Busy or what 24th January 2006
– 12:20 AM

 

Well out at the Bordello Club on
Friday, went quite well a few familiar faces there too, back at the Worlds
End on Saturday to a very good reception too, and then a trio gig at Blush
in Stoke Newington to finish.

So a bit shattered by the end of the weekend. I do wonder what the Lesbian
crowd make of us, they certainly are quite demonstrative, and a very good
audience, and some very attractive women there

I am thinking about how practicle
it would be to work part-time, as the band is progessing with leaps and bounds,
and it might not be a bad way to a make a living. I am by nature quite cautious
and I need a reasonable safety net, but I could perhaps fill in with a bit
of IT freelancing maybe.

Ok the though of not having to get up to early on winter mornings is also
quite appealing. I am still not too sure of my own abilltys though, and another
thing that is quite appealing would be just to spend time improving my musical
knowledge. I am not too good at sight reading music, but I do have a fairly
good ear and can often busk most things, but it would be nice to have the
time to improve at it. I am mildly dyslexic, and I suspect this is connected
with my difficulty with sight reading.Its something I am working on though.

When the music stops 17th January
2006 – 12:59 AM

A Pleasant weekend, An excellent gig with the “Shelf” at “After
office hours” in Barnet on Saturday night with a very enthusiastic crowd
indeed, and also a very young young crowd,mostly mid 20’s and all loveing
it.Very late finish though so not in bed till 03:00, and very sore fingers.
My nails are going a bit flakey apart from my brain. The piano bashing is
a killer on the thumb and little fingers.And my back was grumbling a bit too.The
gig did get very loud though, I think in part due to the accoustic’s of the
place, so we shall have to watch that.

Then on Sunday night out with the
“Jesse pies cleavage of death”, at Maddens in Finchly doing the
caberet style show.Jesse was on top form, and there was a good crowd too.
Miss Michelle O’Brian was also in attendance on both occasions snapping away
like the blazes, so hopeful some good pictures will come out of that.She was
also most complementary about my new hair do. The odd thing about this performing
game is the day job really can be a grind and the 2 halfs of my existance
are getting to be so far divorced from each other that it reallys is like
living two entirley seperate lives.

After a really good night its quite
hard to come down, but the buzz gets you through the monday morning blues.
Not too bad a day in the real office either I have have to say, as one particular
issue I had been worrying about seems to be turning out nicely as they say.

But once the music stops then though I am fighting it the darkness starts
to creep up on me, especially at this time of year.I am still looking for
an answer, but I don’t know the right question to ask yet.

 

[Entry #157]

 

The pub tranny report 13th January
2006 – 11:30 PM

 

Well we are finally in to the new
year, my new wig seems to have been quite well accepted, and I was quite pleased
to see it did not look to bad in a photo of me playing the violin, as the
hair moves quite well, and even allows me to show my ears, so maybe I should
get them pearced ? Doubt if I will get around to it though.I was thinking
of getting laser treatment too this year, maybe I should have its getting
to be more and more of a hassle to shave, and I would love to use less foundation.I
will have to save a few more pennies for that though, maybe this is the year
to do it.I often have to get ready to go out in quite a rush after I come
home from work, particularly if I am out with the band, it can be rather frantic,
having to jump in the car, get to where ever it is, and get the gear set up.Its
great fun but it require’s a fair amount of effort.

One thing that I do notice is that
there seems to be a rather antagonistic air on the forum, and that seems to
have worsened recently.I do visit Rose’s a lot, but don’t post much because
often it seems that others have already said what I would have posted anyway.

[Entry #156]

 

First gig of 2006 10th January
2006 – 12:14 AM

Not to bad a weekend. First gig of 2006 last Saturday, and very well received
too.A very good crowd by the end of the evening and the band was on good form
too. Nice to see Broxie
& Jenifer & daughter too.Broxie
having quite a good dance at the end. They had a meal at the Victoria as it
has quite good food.Its been a really good venue for us so far. Just for a
change I after the gig I was not totally exausted as the Christmas break has
done me some good and I am functioning a little better. On Saturday a bit
of a recording session, with variable results. Then Home and collapse in a
heap…

Interesting watching the debate on the pros and cons of TX I have been about
4 times to TX and its been Ok, though the clubing scene is just not me.

Its nice to talk to people, but I am rubbish at small talk. I would rather
go out with a few friends to a restaurant or perhaps to see a band somewhere.

Actually thinking about it that is exactly what I do, though most of my socialising
is done with the band now.I would drop in at TX, as it would be nice to spot
a few faces that I might recognise from the forum if we had not got a gig
but I can’t remember the last Saturday when we did’nt have one, it must be
months back.

[Entry #155]

 

Back to the Farm [0 comments] 3rd
January 2006 – 10:56 PM

Its still very quiet in the office, and the full onslaught has not hit yet.

My side kick has got flu so its likely I shall be on my own for a little longer
yet. Plenty to do, but very little urge to actually do it.

Waded through usual pile of emails, most of which were not that important,
but you still have to read them just in case.

In a quiet moment logged on to Rose’s for light relief only instead to hear
of April Angels very sad loss.Your whole life can just turn upsidedown in
a moment and yo never know what you have got untill its gone I suppose.So
felt very subdued by the time I left work tonight.

Mixed down a new instrumental tune I am working on, that has turned out a
little better than I expected.Then added a bit of video of me at a Shelf rehersal
to the website. I am going to have a beer and think about going to bed…

[Entry #153]

New years eve at the Turkish 1st
January 2006 – 02:54 PM

Went for a NYE meal at the Meze bar in Southgate, with Vicky M and friends.7
of us in all and a very pleasant way to usher in the New Year. There was a
Belly Dancer who did quite a good turn, Vicky suggested that we might get
Jessie pie to do a bit of that as she has a suitable song “Vicious Venus”
which is kind of ethnic and minor key modal, sort of up Shakira street but
much more so, can’t wait to see that one if Ms V can get her to do it. Also
so present was Ronnie from the “Lucky Exchange” shop in southgate.She
has some great designer stuff some of which has managed to come my way.At
the moment a her shop is a well keep secret but once the word is out,so all
you trannys don’t you dare go there or you just might have to buy up the entire
contents of the shop.Ms Vicky has got a lot of very good schmutter there.
Much muzeing over what has been a very eventfull year and the 2006 is likely
to be quite a ride too I suspect. I was sporting a recently aquired new syrup
which was favorably received I think.Got from a wig place in Blackpool that
was recomended by some one on Roses, got the order though in about 4 days
great service, so I think I will stick a link on the website when I remember
where I got it from. Mireille who has been videoing the Shelf in locations
various was also there, though sans video camera on this occasion.

 

[Entry #152]

Angel eyes blues 30th December
2005 – 02:46 PM

 

Went along to do a spot at the Angel with Vicky & Jesse AKA “The
cleavage of death”, expected that it would be quite empty but no it was
heaving with people, a couple really good acts mostly comic’s, including one
really funny girl who did a skit on the whole female rapper thing and also
sending up the whole get on telly and get slaughtered by Simon Cowell because
you want to be a Star, with the accent on sarf London. Good fun and not too
hard work as we only have to play a few minutes, did the opening spot and
then 4 numbers at the end to a very warm reception.

The comedian hosting the show was not that funny and more than a little up
themselves though they are known on the scene.Seems to be a bit of a thing
with stand-up, maybe you have to be a little self important to do it ? Interestly
there seems to be a divide in the sense that the women kind of invite you
share their worldview and you enter in to a conspiracy with them against the
absurdity life in general.

[Entry #152]

 

Going to work today ] 29th December
2005 – 07:43 AM

Can’t be bothered

Back to work today, its too cold, but the good thing is they have started
work on repairing Battersea Bridge now so with luck in a few weeks the traffic
should have got back to normal and my journey home will have got a little
bit quicker, Hurrah ! Out tonight at the Angel in Highgate assuming that the
roads are OK. I know there are some people that do mornings like farmers and
milkpersons and the like but it so not me.

[Entry #151]

 

[Entry #137]

 

Lauras Birthday Bash [2 comments]
20th November 2005 – 11:52 AM

Amazing to see so many faces from the forum there, lots of people that looked
very familiar indeed, spoke to on one or two though I did not really have
much time to chat, due to setting the bands up and so forth.

A difficult room to play for sound as it was fairly small, but managed to
get something acceptable by the start time. A busy evening for me playing
with the Shelf then the Treacles but I did get about a five minute break.

Chatted briefly to Jenny Sand who was wearing a fabulous backless number and
looked quite stunning, also managed to say hello to Sarah West who seems very
nice and Martine Val who is also a muso in darkest Essex and Liane Smith who
has been thinking about comeing along to a gig so heres hopping we see you
soon. Lauras cake was mind blowingly an enormous pink handbag of course.

 

[Entry #136]

 

Tired but still standing almost
17th November 2005 – 11:53 PM

Day jobs, who needs them. Arghhh… I have got the most enormous bruise on
my leg too after tripped over about 3 times in succession, sometimes it best
not bother getting out of bed. Still its Friday so there is some respite.

I am in reasonable sprits though so I should not complain really.

I can see daylight out of my office window which is a novelty for me, and
I am not sure I shall get use to it.I did a bit of staring out of the window
looking for inspiration, theres a great view across westminster which is rather
different to the gloom factory that I previously inhabited.On the flip side
everything keeps breaking at the moment and I am a little under pressure.

Still one day they will sus out how useless I am and sack me….

 

[Entry #135]

 

A Rather tiring week 17th November
2005 – 12:08 AM

Just getting settled in our new premises at work, still a lot to do there,
and at the moment one problem which I can’t find a cure for at all.Don’t panic
!

Much…Spent a day trying to find a bug in one of our databases which is refusing
to work properly since we we moved on to a windows XP network.

All the others work except this one, and I have spent a solid 8 hours so far
getting nowhere with it. Very tedious indeed….

I think I may need a devine intervention to get me out of this one.

Last night out rehearsing with
the Treacle Tarts for Laura’s bash on Saturday where I shall be wearing two
hats as keyboard player for both bands…

Could be a lively night I suspect.Looks like a good venue and hopefully there
will be a good turn out.

[Entry #134]

 

Place’s not to go 12th November
2005 – 02:57 PM

I am following the “places not to go” thread with some interest.
I think it really is a matter of taking sensible precautions, not going anywhere
that you don’t feel comfortable.Your comfort zone extends of course depending
on what you have actually done. I could not have imagined doing Prague,New
York,Amsterdam let alone all the pubs in London & environs that I now
frequent in the course of my musical endevours a couple of years back.

The main thing about going out is that you will have to interact with people,
they detect your body language first, before they even take on board what
you look like. If you are very introvert then you wil have more of a problem,
regardless of who you are with.

I had a long conversation with a girl at work about how much more open we
all are now to diverisity, and the crowd that comes to see the Shelf brings
credence to this(Straight, Lesbian,Gay,Football supporters and Blues fans).
I am sure there are very unsafe places, but most places are not and belive
or not most people are not rabid trannyphobes, and just want to get on with
life. They may be amused or unintentionally we may be found entertaining at
times, but often you will find that when they get to know you, you become
invisible in the sense that they don’t see a tranny just a person.The only
question I was asked by a rather rotund footy fan whilst setting up at a gig
was what sort of music do you play, which was the only thing that mattered
to him…

 

[Entry #133]

 

Blush “I think I did actually”
9th November 2005 – 12:10 AM

Well, Sunday and out the Trio Ms Vicky, Jesse Pie, and lil ‘old me to darkest
Stoke Newington to play Blush, a very cosy but fun venue.Also present was
Michelle O’Brian who was pressed into service to flog the occasional CD,(no
not what your thinking, and to snap a bit), and did both with aplomb.

The audience was soon on our side and quite expressive too.

Most amuseingly I was actually playing in the bay window, iluminated by mostly
red light, making me feel a little like an Amsterdam Prostitute who’s specialty
act was playing the fiddle.

I was not sure quite how we would go down in Lesbian bar, (answers on a post
card please), but we enjoyed playing,and were i think enjoyed, and we will
be performing there again soon.Ms Pie was totaly awsome, and and soon had
the crowd at her finger tips.

And then it was Monday……

 

[Entry #132]

 

Where we are now 5th November 2005
– 12:53 PM

?? Glasscage Bi-Polar swing

I made a list this morning of every thing that is worrying me, and it came
to about 16 things, most of which have nothing to do with being a tranny which
is good really I suppose. Out of that list there are only really only about
3 things I can really do anything about, everything else is down to someone
else to deal with, and a lot of problems are work related, but I hate not
being able to finish what I started and its causeing my some stress, though
I can sleep alright, infact I am starting to have problems getting up now,
but thats normal for me I think.

I could also do with some time off too, thats almost impossible in the present
situation, apart from the odd day, and I just feel so tired. I am going to
try one of those SAD light things to see if that will make any difference.

I have been listening to some of
my old music from a couple of years back and I think its time for a retrospective
re-release, only this time I will get a decent number duplicated I think as
I still do get the odd request for CD’s and I can market a few now with luck.My
own music is very different from the bands and is more Electronica/world and
indi style, though it has got the odd Faux Jazz style thing happening. I have
a few more conventional style songs that need to see the light of day in live
performance so I am going to have to think seriously about how I achive that
so that will be a project for the new year. I would only need a couple of
people to do it really, so when the work side of things has quietened down
in my day job I will start putting things together I think.

Got a gig at the “Orange Tree”
in Frien Barnett tonight, its a venue we have only played once, but its quite
a comfortable place to play at.

We have an agent coming a long to see us and it may lead to some better gigs,
though we are very busy and booked till January as it stands. So I hope it
will be a good one.We had a nice crowd the last time, and it looks like we
will have a few of our usual crew along.Our crowd is some what diverse, Blues
fans, Football supporters, Lipstick Lesbians, the odd Tranny, and a few Pub
rock punters. They all seem to mix up nicely and get along Ok which is something
I really never imagined in my wildest dreams when I joined.

Another gig on Sunday with the the Trio at the “Blush Bar” in Stoke
Newington which is a lesbian bar so that will be different I think….

Interesting how my journal as usual
has almost nothing relating to Tranny Issues in it at all, I could go on about
how crap I think I look, but I am working on that.Mind you April Angel has
taken a couple of pictures of me that were absolutely brilliant…

I need to hit the shops before tonights gig so I had better go now..

[Entry #131]

 

The slightly flakey one 31st October
2005 – 12:24 AM

Another weekend, another 3 gigs, but I am very tired I must admit, and getting
that same old feeling, the slightly flaky one. I am not comfortable with myself
at present as I just feel there is something missing. There are a few things
I realise I should have done many years ago, but those thoughts are turning
around and slaping me in the face vigerously now.

Be carefull what you wish as they say. Is it better to be stareing over the
fence when something is so near that you can almost touch it but not quite,
or better to be in blissful ignorance, or still asleep in suburban dreams.

What about when you know you really have missed the boat, and that you were
never destined to be on it anyway ? How ever much confidance I think I have
gained I still can’t ask the right questions at the right time, so I end up
getting sidelined or ignored or an assumption is made that I am happy with
the way things are, when I am often not. I suspect that there are many people
who would say that I brought this on myself and from where I stand now I think
they may well be right.

On a lighter note my friends Helen and partner Petra came along to the “Worlds
End” to see the me with the band, and they could not have come on a better
night really as everyone was on good form.Great to see them again after about
a year or so. A quite amazing evening really in everyway.

[Entry #130]

 

<<<+++++>>> 27th
October 2005 – 10:18 PM

Well I am tired and I am irritable and snappy so there.

You can see why people drink too much or take drugs or get addicted to sex,
we are all trying to fill in the gaps, the emptyness, or just to stop feeling
what ever we are feeling that makes us feel bad.

[Entry #129]

 

Its the midweek dip 26th October
2005 – 06:35 PM

might have

Loads of problems on the work front that just don’t seem to be resolving themselves.
Its been one of the most frustrating weeks ever from my perspective I have
to say.I have a meeting tommorrow that could be rather stressfull in every
respect..Its weeks like this when I can see why people pull sickie’s…. Just
discovered that we can’t move our 3 bt adsl lines but will have to terminate
the accounts and start from scratch, which is going to cause some consternation
to put it mildly, and thats due to the way that BT re-selling works.

I ordered a pair of shoes from
additions which have not arrived and when I checked my order status they were
marked returned, which is strange because I have not seen them at all, thats
really annoying as I don’t have much spare time at the moment so hitting the
shops, especially when you are looking for size 9s is a problem. I think Evans
is about the only place.

Some of my post seems to have disappeared
too which is very worrying, we have a new postperson and I think they are
just taking stuff to the wrong place.

Started writing a new song this
morning, think its not half bad actually, as I have not felt inspired like
that for quite a while to be honest.I really need soem way of getting my stuff
heard other than the via the net now, but at present that seems as far away
as a small blue-green planet orbiting the right class of star. Actually its
quite good to have this journal, maybe I ought to do a proper blogg somewhere,
too pour out my troubles to.

I am dreading the clocks changing
but I go home in the dark anyway so maybe its not so bad.

[Entry #128]

 

Another weekend bites the dust
24th October 2005 – 12:07 AM

Not a bad weekend at all.On Friday the first night of the Bordello Club, great
fun but hard work as I was playing most of the night, and inbetween doing
the sound with only a 2 minute loo break.Brilliant crowd too, and for a first
night a very promising start. First Stoke Newington, tommorow the world…

Then Saturday at “The Worlds End”, which looks like becomeing a
favorite Venue for Elephant Shelf. A very friendly crowd chatty and a few
regulars along too, so nice to meet them and chat to one or too.

I am still a bit tired, but no more than normal I suppose and I am just about
getting enough sleep I think.Too many bags under the eye’s, I guess its just
the march of time.

 

[Entry #127]

 

Weekends are just too short ! 17th
October 2005 – 09:47 PM

Trying not to take it too seriously..

Another weekend and another 3 gigs, can’t remember what I used to do at weekends
but I don’t get bored. I have not seem much of my old tranny crew though as
I we never seem to be in the right place at the right time, and its nice to
just have a chat, but I guess thats the way it go’s.I am sure I will have
plenty of time to get bored in the future but at the moment no chance.

Got to sort my self out a few pairs of new shoes as i am getting through them
at quiet a rate, and being a nine its a bit of a pain to get stuff.

I feel really out of place in my office at though, much more like I don’t
belong at all. Its a real come down on a monday morning especially if you
have had a couple of good gigs at the weekend.Well I have had a few times
when I have felt really low, so while the goings good I shall enjoy what I
can.

[Entry #126]

 

Wierdest gig ever at the Rubber
Ball [1 comment] 11th October 2005 – 05:07 PM

A not bad weekend, quite strange on Saturday night, felt a bit of a voyeur
at the Rubber Ball.Played on the “Lady luck” stage for about 20
minutes with Jesse and Vicky, both of us wareing matching sunglass’es which
looked A) very cool, b) rather silly and c) extremely kitch, we did a set
of Jesses mutated Jazz standards including the “Muff shaving song”
(Aint misbehaving) & “My Fanny Vasaline… Well you get the general
idea, though its difficult to play the stuff with out cracking up. After the
sound check we went for a Chinese meal. Came back about half an hour before
we were due on and great fun to walk pass the throng cueing outside flash
the artists pass to get in, tee hee, just like proper celebs.After we had
awander around the dungeon, and I have to say that mostly its “Too weird
for me mate !”.On the other hand there were some rather nice young ladys
handing out flyers who were very appealing to feast the eye on, in a non-sexist
post-retro- ironic but sexy sense.

Jesse stayed on to do her other act as “Sploshy Pie” and as we left
was busy preparing her huge bowl of Yogurt in preparation for her turn at
04:00 in the orning.

We had drink after we played and ran in to a couple of Roses folk and had
a brief chat, then of home.

Woke up with a thundering headache the following morning. Over to see my sister
who has broken a finger in her hand after a fall on a buss whilst she was
dooing survey work, and took a couple of pictures as her employer may be a
bit a bit difficult about it, and we need some proof of the inconvience that
it has caused her.

Then off to a rehersal, but everyone was a little bit tired, we started rehersing
a very nice new number that will be going in the set in a week or too.

Monday night the washing machine ground to a halt as well,depositing quite
a lot of water on the kitchen floor in protest.

So today a day off work to clean up…

Gosh I am tired too.

 

[Entry #125]

 

The weekend 8th October 2005 –
11:04 AM

Can’t be arsed

Finally got my old computer back which is usefull though I had forgotten how
noisy it is, as I have been useing my S.O’s for a while which is ok but has
all the software I use on it, its on a wirless connection which seems to work
quite well on the whole. Amazing how many networks there are wizzing through
this flat, It tried to log me on to 2 others apart from my own ….

have a short gig tonight with Vicky and Jesse at the Rubber Ball in the “Midnight
Lounge” so I guess we must be on at midnight ! Wake me up when its over
I guess is the answer to that one. Well the sun is shining and the trees looking
stunning now that the colour is begining to change too with some very rich
tones coming through.Hey far out man…the Colours.

[Entry #124]

 

Hello still here then are we ?
1st October 2005 – 04:19 PM

sort of maybe

Quite a busy week, things settling well on the home front too which is really
nice too a sort very comfortable sort of vibe.Out last night in St Albans
at the “Spotted Bull” playing with the trio.Interesting crowd as
there were 2 birthdays going on and everyone was wearing Pirate outfits, the
audience not the band He he ..Michelle O’Brien also came along all the way
from Blackheath. The traffic was dire on the way over as well so a really
long journey. Another gig tonight at the Victoria in highgate and there should
be a special guest apperance from Ms Laura Handbag too.Should be fun.Not the
full band tonight but a more mellow quartet.The Victoria pub was vandelised
earlier in the week and there was some doubt as to if the gig would go ahead.Its
a shame as its a realy good venue very friendly and you can get food there
too..So if anyones in Highgate tonight I think they could do with your support.Come
on you Trannys !

I am debateing getting a couple of new wigs, they need to be a similar colour
I think but slightly different styles though not to different of course !

Very difficult things wigs as you can never be quite sure what will work so
I shall have to investigate further.I think I am getting a bit towards the
crusty side now so shorter is better but not to short.Where to start though
?

I did pass a place called “dead cat emporium” , and I suspect thats
the best place to look first, or may be something from national health designer
range.

[Entry #123]

 

Up and down 27th September 2005
– 04:01 PM

Whoops>>>>>>>

Well curently doing a mixed state mood wise, can’t sleep but also tired and
not able to concentrait properly either, which is not an ideal combination
so somewhat prone to mistakes too. So a slightly manic Episode !When I get
like I have a fear of forgetting everything at work, and in a stae of anxiety
my mind will go conveiniently blank

[Entry #122]

 

I could be having fun ! 25th September
2005 – 11:55 AM

Out with the band on Friday in a new venue in “The Victoria” Highgate,
great reception again.Michelle O’Brien was there and Darcy & friend too.Very
hot night and totally wiped out the next day. A bit scary as just before going
on my Electric Violin started falling a apart, but luckly Vicky was able to
help me fix it just in time. A nice evening and everything worked well.Lots
of very nice feedback after the gig plus band photo with the landlady.

Then last night played at “Mollie
Malones” in crouch end also went down a storm, had a couple of pictures
taken with the punters.

Interesting the turn of phrase some woman use, it is quite ironic when one
sees threads on Roses about feminine deportment, to go to a venue and be complemented
thus “Your F****ing great on that organ”….What can she mean ?

Also one other lady there with a similar turn of phrase that looked so much
like a tranny it was unbelivable, though she was on a mission not to go home
alone and I think she pulled it off. Vicky sporting a very 70’s look last
night too.

[Entry #121]

 

Ho hum [1 comment] 22nd September
2005 – 06:30 PM

Rather tediously someones tried to demolish Battersea Bridge, makeing my trip
to work a little longer and it will be closed for about 4 months.The really
annoying part is that there is no information as to the route they diverted
our local bus along , so you have to guess as to where you think it might
be runing to and from.

[Entry #120]

 

Sunday night out again 19th September
2005 – 08:58 AM

Spent the afternoon with the band recording a new country blues tune.Quite
frustrating getting the right kind of feel on it as it needs to be fairly
minimal, but I think we have got it.Off to Camden in the evening to do a half-hour
spot at Bullett.Some interesting acts on last night including some atonal
inprovisers called “Tiny Horse” I think, and the maginificent “Nervious
ElvisPaul Edergly” who sang a heart rending song, I think called “I
like Pussy” as that line occured quite a lot, which I presume was about
his cat that he was missing very much.He performed this in true one man band
style with a stomp box guitar bass drum and so forth.I could not escape at
this point as I had been asked to work the mixer, so I stayed for a couple
of numbers.

We got free Champaign too, I suspect this was due to the delightful Ms Pies
charms rather than mine, but very nice all the same. We also dropped in to
a bar up the Road for a possible booking,and watching Vicky sell the band
was quite inspiring, thank goodness she is not in the double glazing business.

Home at a reasonable hour for a change too

[Entry #119]

 

Saturday Night Out 18th September
2005 – 10:17 AM

Played the Orange Tree in Friern Barnett last night, interesting as there
was a new landlady, and all the regulars were at a party at in the pub across
the road but we did have a good turn out in the end as we had a few regular
Shelf punters turn up plus the folk from the local GLBT as well an dsoem others
came in towards the end of the evening.Interesting as I was told I should
come along to one of their socials, I explained I was in I was from Battersea…Looks
like potentialy a very good place to play too.

We did at least half the gig with one side of the PA off but still went down
Ok.I think we may have forgotten to plug one side of it in…

We need a body to actually sell the Shelf CDs that we now take to gigs too.

Interesting how many pubs are now looking for live music & entertainment
again. Watch out DJ’s us Talent less pub bands are out to get you …

Think I have sorted out the strange car starting phenomena, sprayed it with
damp start, and it seems to have done the trick.I think it was pineing for
it previous owner or something.

[Entry #118]

 

More faces from the past 16th September
2005 – 09:33 PM

~#~

Played at the Queens Hotel on Thursday with Gloria opening for us.She went
down really well.Two old friends from the past turned up, Stuart and George
who knew nothing about Diana until they heard about the band.They seemed to
enjoy it and were not particularly phased by anything as far as I can tell.

Stuart brought a CD and got the band to sign it.Still very tired fell asleep
over the PC this afternoon at work, don’t think any one noticed though.I am
very irritable at the moment too.

[Entry #117]

 

getting weird 14th September 2005
– 09:06 PM

extremely weird

Well, I have been in a very strange mood most of the day, and its getting
worse.Hav’nt felt this bad in a while, suspect its the end of my manic phase.

Should I go back on the drugs, maybe ? Perhaps I should post a poll on the
subject, my moods change so quickly that tommorow I might be Ok or I migt
be very very low…

[Entry #116]

 

Historic pubs of Haringay 12th
September 2005 – 09:15 AM

Very good band rehersal yesterday, went really well ready for the CD launch
at the Queens Hotel this Thursday.Actually it went a bit too well really,
so I suspect we will be rubbish on the night.Then afterwards off to see a
new Venue which is also a huge pub of the same vintage.They had a band on
who very doing sort of Latin/Flamenco tunes, with some very nice guitar playing
sort of Gypsie kings style plus a very attractive singer who swished her frock
around in an appealing way.Said hello to the landlord. It looks like it could
be a very good venue for us as it has a very mixed clientel, and they do seem
to be there for the music too. We are going to get some lights, hopefully
by Thursday people will be able to see us and hear us. Gosh thats a scary
thought.

[Entry #115]

 

Rain 10th September 2005 – 01:31
PM

Its so english to talk about the weather I know, but yesterday was quite something,
troulble is after the storm it really did not cool down at all.

I have still got a bit of a sore head as I hit it on the tail gate of the
car on tuesday, and nearly knocked my self senseless, but its sort of OK now.

Just getting around to reconecting my home studio stuff after the move, I
have sort of finished it now. I am still finding places to put things but
I have got rid of a lot of stuff too, though the flat is still a bit overcrowded
to be honest. Amazing how many clothes I have that I never wear, or that don’t
go with anything, so a lot of those have gone to charity shops.

[Entry #114]

 

My new Violin 9th September 2005
– 10:59 AM

My new violin….

I have just aquired a rather wonderful old violin, it really sings and looks
rather good too, it has a rather nice relief carving of Ben Franklin on the
back, which is also a little unusual. It plays like a total dream.Woke up
with a headache this morning but could not resist having a play.

Last night in the pub after rehearsals as per usual, and took my sister along,
she over heard a couple of girls in the loo one of whom was telling the other
that she must come and see Elephant Shelf the next time we were on.Apparently
we are known in north london circles as that band with the really good girl
singer and two trannies in it……

Also told by one of our regular punters that we really should get some lighting
so people can see us.That could be really scary thought Jesse Pie is always
worth watching.Its still too hot for me at the moment, I am glad to have had
some time away from work hassles just for a change, and I am sort of getting
used to being back in Battersea again. I need to move my own computer back
here soon, when I have figured out where to put it, as my other half aquired
her own when I moved out so it looks like we will have his and hers computers
next to each other eventually.How sad is that.

Also I think I have figured out how to start my new car, I had terrible problems
but it has a dimobiliser fitted and its an auto so you have to performa a
routine with the gear change first before it starts, or else it stays where
its is.Endless fun !