When I started this blog, so many years ago, I'd just quit my office job and was going out into the big scary world as an 'artist'. The intention of the blog was to mark the struggles, and hopefully the achievements, of a man pushing himself a bit. It's certainly done that, and, even though a majority of my living now comes from teaching music, I'm grateful that I forced myself away from the comfort of a 9-5 desk job.
From being the scruffy, panicking, you could say shambles of a man I was when this started, I've enjoyed many adventures - some of the best days of my life, and really some of the worst. Now, I'm running a successful teaching business, I've got a wife on the way, we've just bought a huge house, I've had the acclaim for my shows that I so desperately craved, I even drive a Mercedes (I mean, it's an old one, that clearly has a few problems, but if ever a man needed a status symbol...). This blog has served it's purpose for me; my ambitions are higher than ever but it's no longer about the struggle.
There will be no more posts on here as it was getting a bit dull anyway ("taught four lessons today, went well"). I have new targets, new ambitions in life, all of which can be followed over at my slightly more public blog: https://prettymuch40.blogspot.com
Whoever still reads this, and I've seen the stats...there's plenty of you, thank you and we'll hopefully catch up soon whenever this COVID malarkey blows over. Unless, of course, you're a total weirdo, so let's just keep our contact virtual x
Sunday, 31 May 2020
Monday, 25 May 2020
Sunday 24th May 2020
Birthday. 39 today. How did I get this old? I'm very grateful that things have worked out (career, relative success as a musician and in theatre, house, fiancee, financially very stable) but I still want to push myself further...one final thing to do before I hit 40.
I feel a book coming on...
Lovely day, though, great presents, wonderful cake that A spent all of yesterday making, got a bit merry. All in all, lovely.
Tomorrow: I'll actually be productive again.
Saturday 23rd May 2020
A late morning/early afternoon of teaching, all regulars, all doing well and it's all going nicely to plan.
In the afternoon we had a virtual piss-up for my best man, Matt, which was lovely but afternoon drinking totally throws me and I was a total slob for the rest of the day.
In the afternoon we had a virtual piss-up for my best man, Matt, which was lovely but afternoon drinking totally throws me and I was a total slob for the rest of the day.
Friday 22nd May 2020
Lovely morning teaching a student who I hadn't seen for a long while, he was buzzing to be back and his mum was very enthusiastic about it all in our email chat afterwards. This is working out.
7 lessons in a row today, all surprisingly well structured (got my spreadsheet, see)
In the evening a few of us had a virtual reading of my new play. Many technical problems threatened to derail the whole thing, but when we hit momentum it was great fun. The play really works, it's the only finished bit of writing I've done during this lockdown but it works nicely and we're optimistic about it hitting the stage whenever we're allowed. It was also bloody lovely to see everyone.
7 lessons in a row today, all surprisingly well structured (got my spreadsheet, see)
In the evening a few of us had a virtual reading of my new play. Many technical problems threatened to derail the whole thing, but when we hit momentum it was great fun. The play really works, it's the only finished bit of writing I've done during this lockdown but it works nicely and we're optimistic about it hitting the stage whenever we're allowed. It was also bloody lovely to see everyone.
Thursday 21st May 2020
My weekly trip to drop off essentials at mum's doorstep only really confirms one thing: I should really be starting my car more often. It was very reluctant today. Mum seems happy, though.
Got back, replied to the millions of emails that come through, tidied my teaching spreadsheet and rehearsed ahead of tonight's virtual gig.
Eventually, the tracks came in and I started recording at 10.30pm. Odd set, that, on paper by far the easiest of the lot but I struggled a bit with some of it...I think it was just the space, there's almost too much freedom in the track so it's easy to take your eye off the ball a bit.
Got frustrated, re-recorded from scratch, done by 2am. Not my finest performance.
Got back, replied to the millions of emails that come through, tidied my teaching spreadsheet and rehearsed ahead of tonight's virtual gig.
Eventually, the tracks came in and I started recording at 10.30pm. Odd set, that, on paper by far the easiest of the lot but I struggled a bit with some of it...I think it was just the space, there's almost too much freedom in the track so it's easy to take your eye off the ball a bit.
Got frustrated, re-recorded from scratch, done by 2am. Not my finest performance.
Wednesday 20th May 2020
A quieter day, which gave me more time to work on the Christmas novel, and also to decide what to do with our radio sitcom. They're all recorded and during the lockdown our amazing techie has spent a long time making them sound polished and very professional.
All three lessons were exhaustingly frantic, but they're into it and that's all that matters.
I may have played more Champ Manager until the early hours. This needs to stop.
All three lessons were exhaustingly frantic, but they're into it and that's all that matters.
I may have played more Champ Manager until the early hours. This needs to stop.
Tuesday 19th May 2020
I was very nervous this morning, having to interview a sitcom writer for the book who's work I totally adore. I was put at ease, instantly, by his warmth and friendliness and the phone interview was an absolute cracker.
First lesson of the day was cancelled as the kid is now back in school, but the other three were great.
Gave myself the night off and thoroughly enjoyed an evening of classic Championship Manager. And by evening, I of course mean early morning, too. Dangerously addictive.
First lesson of the day was cancelled as the kid is now back in school, but the other three were great.
Gave myself the night off and thoroughly enjoyed an evening of classic Championship Manager. And by evening, I of course mean early morning, too. Dangerously addictive.
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