The last month or so I've been writing a project under a Pseudonym, it's a very different project. Published it as an e-book today, and I like the fact that nobody knows it's me - it's like having a double life. I think I'll do more of this. Particularly if that one sells.
So, that was mostly my afternoon (because I spent a bit of the morning hungover, and then I actually apologised to my car for the incident yesterday...yep, I'm turning into that guy, who talks to vehicles).
Carefully launched the '50 Days of Drummer' project, took a while to get all of the info together for that. Mostly ignored, as you'd expect, but I'll still do it anyway.
Sunday, 26 November 2017
Saturday 25th November 2017
Next weekend it's the 2nd year anniversary of Dad's death, and I just get the sense that mum is struggling with things at the moment, so took her out for the day. Took her to get her hair cut, which basically means waiting outside the hairdressers for 2 hours in the car with the dog. I was in somebody's way - they needed me to move because she had a flat battery and needed the space I was in, which was cool. However, when reversing, I drove straight into her. Luckily, there was no damage to her car (and, not being blunt, but she looked like somebody who could have me in a fight), my car had a few deep scratches around the back bumper but look...it's 20 years old, I didn't mind too much. I should really look when I'm reversing, though, things could have been a lot worse.
Whilst waiting for mum in various car parks of various shops, I had THE BEST IDEA EVER for a new novel, so started work on that in a notepad. Next year, there will be lots of novels. Probably too much Richards for the world to handle but you know, deal with it, it's happening.
Met up with Marcus and Rob for drinks in the evening, really great to catch up, we should do this more often.
Whilst waiting for mum in various car parks of various shops, I had THE BEST IDEA EVER for a new novel, so started work on that in a notepad. Next year, there will be lots of novels. Probably too much Richards for the world to handle but you know, deal with it, it's happening.
Met up with Marcus and Rob for drinks in the evening, really great to catch up, we should do this more often.
Friday 24th November 2017
Literally spent 8 hours writing, only popping out to get a sandwich. This new thing I'm writing had better turn out good!
Met up with Izzy for a couple of beers and to excitedly tell her about all of my new project ideas, a few of which I've got her in mind for, and it was great to catch up.
Got back, wrote till 2am.
Met up with Izzy for a couple of beers and to excitedly tell her about all of my new project ideas, a few of which I've got her in mind for, and it was great to catch up.
Got back, wrote till 2am.
Thursday 23rd November 2017
Looks like next week is gonna be busy, which is a bit of relief. I'm back in the 'drum teaching is my best route to make money' frame of mind, and I have a healthy amount of clients already showing interest (and two confirmed).
Did a bit of work planning my new project, which has now changed from '300 gigs in 300 Days' to 'The 50 Days of Drummer.' The reasoning being that actually playing 300 gigs may not be that interesting to watch as a film - especially if I end up playing in the same bands, playing similar local venues. The new project offers a much stronger challenge, one that is quite difficult to achieve...which is why I'm excited about it. I've stagnated a bit recently, this will be good for me.
Continued work on my new novel.
Evening, went for a lovely thanksgiving dinner around Lachy's house. We all ate well, played games, it was lovely. We should play more games, everyone should, just generally.
Did a bit of work planning my new project, which has now changed from '300 gigs in 300 Days' to 'The 50 Days of Drummer.' The reasoning being that actually playing 300 gigs may not be that interesting to watch as a film - especially if I end up playing in the same bands, playing similar local venues. The new project offers a much stronger challenge, one that is quite difficult to achieve...which is why I'm excited about it. I've stagnated a bit recently, this will be good for me.
Continued work on my new novel.
Evening, went for a lovely thanksgiving dinner around Lachy's house. We all ate well, played games, it was lovely. We should play more games, everyone should, just generally.
Thursday, 23 November 2017
Wednesday 22nd November 2017
Our landlord popped in and put new locks on the bathrooms; if anything it's all a bit of an upgrade so Oleg getting trapped could have been a blessing? Poor bloke, though, didn't need that, having been in the country for less than 24 hours.
Spent a lot of the day writing, and planning. 2 companies want to chat to me about freelance stuff next week, which is cool, and another enquiry about drum teaching - again, they like the price and will confirm soon. There's just a sense that if everyone who is up for it does actually come through, I'm gonna have more work than I can handle.
Popped out to teach at the college, was great as always - really making progress there, it's refreshingly rewarding to see how they're learning. They're a great committed bunch.
Got back, carried on writing a masterpiece till the early hours.
Spent a lot of the day writing, and planning. 2 companies want to chat to me about freelance stuff next week, which is cool, and another enquiry about drum teaching - again, they like the price and will confirm soon. There's just a sense that if everyone who is up for it does actually come through, I'm gonna have more work than I can handle.
Popped out to teach at the college, was great as always - really making progress there, it's refreshingly rewarding to see how they're learning. They're a great committed bunch.
Got back, carried on writing a masterpiece till the early hours.
Tuesday 21st November 2017
A couple more clients emailing about drum teaching, we all agree prices but nobody ever commits, do they? People are starting to annoy me.
I'm busy making big plans, but short-term could actually do with a bit more work coming in. The future feels bright, and frantic, though.
Took Mum shopping, she seems to need more support than ever at the moment, although I'm still not sure why. Well, I guess we're approaching the second anniversary of dad's passing, that's probably a factor. It was nice to hang out in the family home today.
Back into Cambridge, load up my drums, and then to pick up my Russian comedian chum, Oleg, and then over to a small village for tonight's show. The launch of my new monthly comedy night; 2 acts dropped out, as did a bassist, but we still put on an absolute cracker of a show. 3 great comedians, a great band, I was bit all over the place as a host but it seemed in keeping with the fast, sweaty nature of the show. Audience loved it.
Oleg crashed at ours, and then got trapped in our toilet in the hours of the morning. Broke the lock on the bathroom door, was there for what felt like a very long time. It was a long night. I mean, who else has a Russian comedian trapped in their bathroom on a Wednesday morning? I think we're winning at future anecdotes.
I'm busy making big plans, but short-term could actually do with a bit more work coming in. The future feels bright, and frantic, though.
Took Mum shopping, she seems to need more support than ever at the moment, although I'm still not sure why. Well, I guess we're approaching the second anniversary of dad's passing, that's probably a factor. It was nice to hang out in the family home today.
Back into Cambridge, load up my drums, and then to pick up my Russian comedian chum, Oleg, and then over to a small village for tonight's show. The launch of my new monthly comedy night; 2 acts dropped out, as did a bassist, but we still put on an absolute cracker of a show. 3 great comedians, a great band, I was bit all over the place as a host but it seemed in keeping with the fast, sweaty nature of the show. Audience loved it.
Oleg crashed at ours, and then got trapped in our toilet in the hours of the morning. Broke the lock on the bathroom door, was there for what felt like a very long time. It was a long night. I mean, who else has a Russian comedian trapped in their bathroom on a Wednesday morning? I think we're winning at future anecdotes.
Monday 20th November 2017
Really plotting 2018 carefully, but I think I've got it right - 17 dates put aside for Edinburgh previews, Edinburgh itself, and the rest up till, say, November, is reserved for band stuff. Not just the one band, of course, especially what with my idea that I'll launch later this week.
Re-tuned my Gretsch snare. God it sounds great.
Into town for a meeting with a new freelance place, still not entirely sure it was an interview or not; I was under the impression I'd already got it but still wore a suit just in case. Looks like they can't offer me as many hours as I'd like, but they seem cool and it's worth going with.
Got back, continued to plug my drum teaching stuff, and then off to the band meeting.
We're more than fine, I'm still not entirely sure what the issues were, or how they were resolved, but as a band we're all smiles and hugs again; we'll survive another album at least. Just like a relationship, isn't it?
Re-tuned my Gretsch snare. God it sounds great.
Into town for a meeting with a new freelance place, still not entirely sure it was an interview or not; I was under the impression I'd already got it but still wore a suit just in case. Looks like they can't offer me as many hours as I'd like, but they seem cool and it's worth going with.
Got back, continued to plug my drum teaching stuff, and then off to the band meeting.
We're more than fine, I'm still not entirely sure what the issues were, or how they were resolved, but as a band we're all smiles and hugs again; we'll survive another album at least. Just like a relationship, isn't it?
Sunday, 19 November 2017
Sunday 19th November 2017
Things feel uncomfortable with the band, but we've organised a meeting tomorrow night to try and work out how this can still work.
Breakfast at the hotel was outstanding.
Traffic was terrible, but, after dumping my kit in my car from the band vehicle etc, I was home by 3pm. Fell asleep...those of us who stayed over last night were up till very late chatting about the band and it's future.
Caught up on admin things - checked in with everyone about next week's comedy show, designed posters and did ticket links for Side Streets fest, replied to emails and changed drum heads.
Breakfast at the hotel was outstanding.
Traffic was terrible, but, after dumping my kit in my car from the band vehicle etc, I was home by 3pm. Fell asleep...those of us who stayed over last night were up till very late chatting about the band and it's future.
Caught up on admin things - checked in with everyone about next week's comedy show, designed posters and did ticket links for Side Streets fest, replied to emails and changed drum heads.
Saturday 18th November 2017
I've checked with everyone and apparently last night was cool, so that's a relief.
Treated myself to a nice breakfast, and then off to meet the band for the long trip to god-knows-where for the gig (near Bristol) that had an early soundcheck.
So much tension tonight. How are we still a band? I can't say too much on here, but it's uncomfortable with G+V at loggerheads, this is even worse than last year. On stage we were amazing tonight, best we've played in ages...long show, but we were totally at our best. Off stage: totally at our worst.
Stayed over in god-knows-where as it's a late gig, but G just drove home, such is the way things are.
Treated myself to a nice breakfast, and then off to meet the band for the long trip to god-knows-where for the gig (near Bristol) that had an early soundcheck.
So much tension tonight. How are we still a band? I can't say too much on here, but it's uncomfortable with G+V at loggerheads, this is even worse than last year. On stage we were amazing tonight, best we've played in ages...long show, but we were totally at our best. Off stage: totally at our worst.
Stayed over in god-knows-where as it's a late gig, but G just drove home, such is the way things are.
Friday 17th November 2017
Late night last night, but up so early today to bring the car in for it's service. I've figured that I'm going to look after this one, it's 20 years old but I had a nice chat with the garage the other day about it all and basically as long as they can look at it every 10,000 miles, then it can run for a few more years. Great garage, brilliant service again today, changed the oil and all that, car feels as good as new.
Then it was Edd's stag do. I really felt the pressure today, even though I shouldn't have done, but this is my first time as a best man and I just want everything to be perfect. Picked him up, got him over to Cambridge, and then a bunch of us went bowling. I got the hang of it by the second game and didn't come last (came second to last) and I reckon if there was a third game I could have finished mid-table. Not that it's about that, of course.
Few beers, and then a curry. Proper Indian restaurant and I didn't recognise many things on the menue (I usually default to a Korma), not sure what it was I had but I felt like I was on fire.
Edd's stag was never going to be typical, because Edd isn't a big drinker and neither of many of his friends. We ended up in a nice quiet pub, and the whole thing was wrapped up just before midnight. It's what he wanted, but I kept thinking that I was being a rubbish best man for the whole thing being so tame. Maybe I shouldn't have vocalised this so much, but it all came from a good place. He seemed happy enough anyway, which is the most important thing.
Then it was Edd's stag do. I really felt the pressure today, even though I shouldn't have done, but this is my first time as a best man and I just want everything to be perfect. Picked him up, got him over to Cambridge, and then a bunch of us went bowling. I got the hang of it by the second game and didn't come last (came second to last) and I reckon if there was a third game I could have finished mid-table. Not that it's about that, of course.
Few beers, and then a curry. Proper Indian restaurant and I didn't recognise many things on the menue (I usually default to a Korma), not sure what it was I had but I felt like I was on fire.
Edd's stag was never going to be typical, because Edd isn't a big drinker and neither of many of his friends. We ended up in a nice quiet pub, and the whole thing was wrapped up just before midnight. It's what he wanted, but I kept thinking that I was being a rubbish best man for the whole thing being so tame. Maybe I shouldn't have vocalised this so much, but it all came from a good place. He seemed happy enough anyway, which is the most important thing.
Thursday 16th November 2017
Yeah, so the teaching thing is the way to go, but looks like I've been offered another little freelance job as well, so will do that too. After almost two weeks of not working, it appears I suddenly have too much work for the rest of the year.
Caught up on emails in the morning, mostly booking 2018 stuff, and then long drive to Kent. Turns out Kent is miles away, and there was just loads of accidents everywhere and...uggghh, you know, all that stuff. Anyway, 4 hours later, made it to the gig. Stand-up tonight and, you know, I've been having a few doubts about all this stuff recently, realising that drumming is totally my future. But the show tonight was brilliant...my stuff, basically the same 10 minutes I've been doing for these sort of shows for the last year (with the 'Sexy Back' 2 songs from the Edinburgh show in the set instead of that story about cold chips which I've been telling for nearly 4 years). Audience loved it and they all wanted Richards merch, which I don't have, and I felt on top of the world. Okay, maybe this can work out, then? I travelled a fair way to do a set in front of a sold-out crowd of people who don't know me and nailed it. I can do that again, I'm sure of it.
And then they closed every fucking road I wanted to drive on for the way back so switched off my sat-nav, drove for a bit without really thinking and suddenly I was in Dover. Still, got back by 2.30am...
Caught up on emails in the morning, mostly booking 2018 stuff, and then long drive to Kent. Turns out Kent is miles away, and there was just loads of accidents everywhere and...uggghh, you know, all that stuff. Anyway, 4 hours later, made it to the gig. Stand-up tonight and, you know, I've been having a few doubts about all this stuff recently, realising that drumming is totally my future. But the show tonight was brilliant...my stuff, basically the same 10 minutes I've been doing for these sort of shows for the last year (with the 'Sexy Back' 2 songs from the Edinburgh show in the set instead of that story about cold chips which I've been telling for nearly 4 years). Audience loved it and they all wanted Richards merch, which I don't have, and I felt on top of the world. Okay, maybe this can work out, then? I travelled a fair way to do a set in front of a sold-out crowd of people who don't know me and nailed it. I can do that again, I'm sure of it.
And then they closed every fucking road I wanted to drive on for the way back so switched off my sat-nav, drove for a bit without really thinking and suddenly I was in Dover. Still, got back by 2.30am...
Wednesday 15th November 2017
Yep, drum teaching stuff is my future, I think. This year I seemed to have accidentally picked up enough experience with it at both of the colleges, and I think there's something about the 'let's not do this academically, let me teach you how to be your own player' way of working that appeals.
On top of all my emails, surprised Mum by popping by and taking her out for the day. Her choice of destination? Cambourne. Fair enough. It's mostly because they have a Morrisons there.
Then off to teach in Cambridge, which went really well, and it was nice to have the head of music in to see the legendary percussive tones that we were creating.
Then a lovely rehearsal with choir/band for the Christmas gig, after a quick catch up with Esther. Post-rehearsal, dumped my car and carried on drinking with Esther, which was lovely to catch up even more.
On top of all my emails, surprised Mum by popping by and taking her out for the day. Her choice of destination? Cambourne. Fair enough. It's mostly because they have a Morrisons there.
Then off to teach in Cambridge, which went really well, and it was nice to have the head of music in to see the legendary percussive tones that we were creating.
Then a lovely rehearsal with choir/band for the Christmas gig, after a quick catch up with Esther. Post-rehearsal, dumped my car and carried on drinking with Esther, which was lovely to catch up even more.
Tuesday 14th November 2017
Late last night I put together my page about my drum teaching stuff, and this morning I started to spread the word a bit about it all. Plenty of offers and keen interest already, which is a relief.
Car MOT day, which is always a tough one, but amazingly it wasn't too bad at all. That car is amazing, can't believe it only cost me £350. Clearly, taking it back to the garage where I bought it from was a good move, even if that did mean walking around Soham for over an hour with nothing to do (and there's nothing actually in Soham).
Got back, replied to various emails about various things that have come in.
Evening dinner with Edd and Emily which was really amazing to catch up, if weird going back to the house where I lived for three years. It's all so different now already, it's all so...clean, and tidy, and decorated.
Car MOT day, which is always a tough one, but amazingly it wasn't too bad at all. That car is amazing, can't believe it only cost me £350. Clearly, taking it back to the garage where I bought it from was a good move, even if that did mean walking around Soham for over an hour with nothing to do (and there's nothing actually in Soham).
Got back, replied to various emails about various things that have come in.
Evening dinner with Edd and Emily which was really amazing to catch up, if weird going back to the house where I lived for three years. It's all so different now already, it's all so...clean, and tidy, and decorated.
Monday 13th November 2017
Starting to panic about the whole lack of freelance work situation, even if it has only been a week. I can see why people do proper jobs now.
Spent a day focusing on trying to get more work, literally staring at my laptop emailing companies offering my services for about 8 hours.
I also managed to totally, totally nail the 12 gigs of Christmas schedule, which got a lot messy at times but everyone seems happy now.
Realised that drum teaching is where it's at.
Spent a day focusing on trying to get more work, literally staring at my laptop emailing companies offering my services for about 8 hours.
I also managed to totally, totally nail the 12 gigs of Christmas schedule, which got a lot messy at times but everyone seems happy now.
Realised that drum teaching is where it's at.
Monday, 13 November 2017
Sunday 12th November 2017
Up early, into the studio with the band. The plan was to just record the one song, which will take us up till 11 for the album. We did that in good time - it's a great studio with a brilliant producer we know well so it felt like a fairly easy session.
We then tried to record the song we learnt on Thursday (and gigged for the first time on Friday). It's a track we're all massively excited about, but recording it so soon probably wasn't the best idea. There's absolutely nothing wrong with our playing on it at all - it's in time, it's tight. There's just a sense that we need to gig it a few times more, find some special bits...it'll happen, then we'll re-record it. This album is taking a while, though.
Gig with Claudia and band afterwards was great, and nice to catch up with friends.
Feeling slightly annoyed about the whole freelance situation, but then I see on Facebook a post about an old friend who is now in a wheelchair and having a really tough time. Bit of perspective and all that, I'm a lucky boy, really.
We then tried to record the song we learnt on Thursday (and gigged for the first time on Friday). It's a track we're all massively excited about, but recording it so soon probably wasn't the best idea. There's absolutely nothing wrong with our playing on it at all - it's in time, it's tight. There's just a sense that we need to gig it a few times more, find some special bits...it'll happen, then we'll re-record it. This album is taking a while, though.
Gig with Claudia and band afterwards was great, and nice to catch up with friends.
Feeling slightly annoyed about the whole freelance situation, but then I see on Facebook a post about an old friend who is now in a wheelchair and having a really tough time. Bit of perspective and all that, I'm a lucky boy, really.
Saturday, 11 November 2017
Saturday 11th November 2017
This month is drifting a bit quickly, which is worrying on many levels - can things just slow down a bit, please?
Anyway, replied to a bunch of emails in the morning, then took Mum shopping.
Over to James' house to spend 4 and a bit hours filming a promo for the '12 gigs' event - he really does things properly, even if it takes a very long time. The trailer will be excellent, though.
Got back, made a list of all the things I haven't done yet this week that I should have done. And then drank beer, because I need to stop for a bit and tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Anyway, replied to a bunch of emails in the morning, then took Mum shopping.
Over to James' house to spend 4 and a bit hours filming a promo for the '12 gigs' event - he really does things properly, even if it takes a very long time. The trailer will be excellent, though.
Got back, made a list of all the things I haven't done yet this week that I should have done. And then drank beer, because I need to stop for a bit and tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Friday 10th November 2017
The lack of confirmed freelance work has concerned me a little, of course it has, but there's so many things in the pipeline - it looks like I won't have any work at all, or too much of it.
Pretty much spent the day at my laptop, chatting to various companies, whilst also sorting out one or two comedy/theatre/band things for next year. 2018 will be great.
Then off to Northants for our first post-China gig. Experimented playing without any toms, just a bass drum, snare, couple of cymbals. Seemed to work, but we perhaps put in too much (pretty much all) new material tonight. Long, long night, not sure how because it's not that far away.
Pretty much spent the day at my laptop, chatting to various companies, whilst also sorting out one or two comedy/theatre/band things for next year. 2018 will be great.
Then off to Northants for our first post-China gig. Experimented playing without any toms, just a bass drum, snare, couple of cymbals. Seemed to work, but we perhaps put in too much (pretty much all) new material tonight. Long, long night, not sure how because it's not that far away.
Friday, 10 November 2017
Thursday 9th December 2017
All 12 venues confirmed now for the 12 gigs of Christmas day...gotta be honest, spent far too long on this when I should have been looking for more freelance work. Still, it's satisfying to be doing something for charity, isn't it?
Popped into the college to hand in the final documents for my security check thing, and somehow managed to get lost finding it (even though I've been teaching there since September) and was out walking for about 2 hours. Still, good to clear my head a bit.
Back home to write a few hundred more emails. It's mentioned to me by a few people that more drum teaching is the way to go, so that's something I'll now spend a bit of time looking into.
Amazing rehearsal with FH. It was purely to go over a track we're recording on Sunday, which was planned to be the final track recorded for the new album, but then V and L turn up with this BRILLIANT song that they'd been working on, quietly, for some time. We jammed it straight away and it'll go in the set for tomorrow's show. I personally think it's the best song we've ever learnt as a band...I mean, crazy, wow stuff. I'm in a band full of geniuses.
Popped into the college to hand in the final documents for my security check thing, and somehow managed to get lost finding it (even though I've been teaching there since September) and was out walking for about 2 hours. Still, good to clear my head a bit.
Back home to write a few hundred more emails. It's mentioned to me by a few people that more drum teaching is the way to go, so that's something I'll now spend a bit of time looking into.
Amazing rehearsal with FH. It was purely to go over a track we're recording on Sunday, which was planned to be the final track recorded for the new album, but then V and L turn up with this BRILLIANT song that they'd been working on, quietly, for some time. We jammed it straight away and it'll go in the set for tomorrow's show. I personally think it's the best song we've ever learnt as a band...I mean, crazy, wow stuff. I'm in a band full of geniuses.
Wednesday, 8 November 2017
Wednesday 8th November 2017
Was getting quite stressed yesterday about stuff going wrong - you know, the freelance post ending so abruptly, the murder mystery cast not being available etc.
Kind of took that into today, as much as things resolved themselves a bit. A few contacts probably have freelance work for me, they're looking into it but they're a good bunch, and as our bassist says - I was always land on my feet, somehow.
Couldn't replace the unavailable/ill actresses for Saturday, despite asking around. That's been the problem with this show; I've either been begging actors to step in at the last minute, or apologising to venues. That's just not right, is it? Did a bit of that today, eventually offering the venue an alternative solution as the murder mystery clearly wasn't going to happen - offered them a band and a quiz, with a hundred quid knocked off.
After careful consideration, they managed to find another murder mystery troupe who could step in. They were lovely to us about it, professionally there's no bad feelings either way because I clearly tried to make something happen for them yet they found their own solution, so fair play to them but I never should have been in this position in the first place. And more to the point, it's more money I could have been earning, but didn't, and having lost the freelance post...well, uughh.
That was our last scheduled/contracted murder mystery. It's been nothing but a pain in the arse, glad to see the back of it.
Jen was cool, she stepped in for us last week and the thing I like about her is just how open she's been about her availability - I don't mind if people can't make stuff, I just need to be told. We spoke a few times today about working together soon, I'd like that - she can be my new touring actress, maybe.
Taught for a bit in the evening, my students didn't turn up today so I was put in with the school rock band again. I'm 36.
Got back, did a bit of work on my new book, and confirmed 10 of our 12 venues for the next '12 gigs of Christmas' day, that looks exciting.
Kind of took that into today, as much as things resolved themselves a bit. A few contacts probably have freelance work for me, they're looking into it but they're a good bunch, and as our bassist says - I was always land on my feet, somehow.
Couldn't replace the unavailable/ill actresses for Saturday, despite asking around. That's been the problem with this show; I've either been begging actors to step in at the last minute, or apologising to venues. That's just not right, is it? Did a bit of that today, eventually offering the venue an alternative solution as the murder mystery clearly wasn't going to happen - offered them a band and a quiz, with a hundred quid knocked off.
After careful consideration, they managed to find another murder mystery troupe who could step in. They were lovely to us about it, professionally there's no bad feelings either way because I clearly tried to make something happen for them yet they found their own solution, so fair play to them but I never should have been in this position in the first place. And more to the point, it's more money I could have been earning, but didn't, and having lost the freelance post...well, uughh.
That was our last scheduled/contracted murder mystery. It's been nothing but a pain in the arse, glad to see the back of it.
Jen was cool, she stepped in for us last week and the thing I like about her is just how open she's been about her availability - I don't mind if people can't make stuff, I just need to be told. We spoke a few times today about working together soon, I'd like that - she can be my new touring actress, maybe.
Taught for a bit in the evening, my students didn't turn up today so I was put in with the school rock band again. I'm 36.
Got back, did a bit of work on my new book, and confirmed 10 of our 12 venues for the next '12 gigs of Christmas' day, that looks exciting.
Tuesday, 7 November 2017
Tuesday 7th November 2017
People are rubbish, aren't they? I'm not only saying this because I've had a couple of beers having been to a show (on a school night! As much as I hate that saying, and what are the rules, anyway?)
I mean, I don't like doing this murder mystery thing either - we generally do the show, get a few complaints (roughly two a show, written, often in capitals by old people who can't find the caps lock), get paid. But we do actually get paid, often reluctantly by the venue, and we have a good time on stage, but it seems keeping a consistent cast together is unlikely. One more performance this weekend, the final one we're obligated to do, and yet I'm two actors down again. James is great, I can see myself working with James for years because he's just so...relaxed, but everyone else either keeps pulling out or getting ill. No idea what will happen this Saturday but have stopped caring.
Anyway, in the office to freelance today. Company have run out of stuff for me to do, which is a shame. The new guy in charge has different ideas and I don't seem to fit into those plans. An awkward, abrupt end to what has been a nice nearly two years of freelancing there.
Had the best idea for a book ever. Started writing it.
Popped into town to watch my mate Mel, and 11 other comedians, perform. The Cambridge Comedy circuit is lovely, I have a lot of friends there and it was nice to catch up with everyone. If you're ever feeling a bit low about life achievements and shit (as I have been tonight), just hang out with comedian chums...we're all feeling low about life achievements and shit. There's something in that which makes me feel all warm inside.
I mean, I don't like doing this murder mystery thing either - we generally do the show, get a few complaints (roughly two a show, written, often in capitals by old people who can't find the caps lock), get paid. But we do actually get paid, often reluctantly by the venue, and we have a good time on stage, but it seems keeping a consistent cast together is unlikely. One more performance this weekend, the final one we're obligated to do, and yet I'm two actors down again. James is great, I can see myself working with James for years because he's just so...relaxed, but everyone else either keeps pulling out or getting ill. No idea what will happen this Saturday but have stopped caring.
Anyway, in the office to freelance today. Company have run out of stuff for me to do, which is a shame. The new guy in charge has different ideas and I don't seem to fit into those plans. An awkward, abrupt end to what has been a nice nearly two years of freelancing there.
Had the best idea for a book ever. Started writing it.
Popped into town to watch my mate Mel, and 11 other comedians, perform. The Cambridge Comedy circuit is lovely, I have a lot of friends there and it was nice to catch up with everyone. If you're ever feeling a bit low about life achievements and shit (as I have been tonight), just hang out with comedian chums...we're all feeling low about life achievements and shit. There's something in that which makes me feel all warm inside.
Monday, 6 November 2017
Monday 6th November 2017
Realise that I still really, really want to do a '12 gigs of Christmas' show, but my only free day in December is 16th - and that doesn't work for Claudia or band. Luckily, James is up for it instead and seems quite excited, doing this as a duo would actually be a lot easier...but we're going to walk everywhere, which may make it more of a mission. The key now is to try and get 12 venues together...I've emailed 28 this morning, had 4 offers. Will chase up tomorrow.
Got a new tyre for the car, pretty exciting (£83 for a tyre, ridiculous). The slow puncture was getting faster, it had to be done as much as I had been delaying it for about...well, since before the Edinburgh Fringe drive anyway.
Got the tyre done in St Ives to tied it in with mum's weekly food shop.
Confirmed the line-up for a charity stand-up night I'm putting on next month; needed 4 comedians, got 10 - but they're all so very good!
Final murder mystery this weekend and it's in our biggest venue yet. As before, we've managed to lose yet another actress. This show has been so stressful, can't wait to see the back of it.
Got a new tyre for the car, pretty exciting (£83 for a tyre, ridiculous). The slow puncture was getting faster, it had to be done as much as I had been delaying it for about...well, since before the Edinburgh Fringe drive anyway.
Got the tyre done in St Ives to tied it in with mum's weekly food shop.
Confirmed the line-up for a charity stand-up night I'm putting on next month; needed 4 comedians, got 10 - but they're all so very good!
Final murder mystery this weekend and it's in our biggest venue yet. As before, we've managed to lose yet another actress. This show has been so stressful, can't wait to see the back of it.
Sunday, 5 November 2017
Sunday 5th November 2017
I've worked hard today, really hard. See, stuff has been building up - not only post-China, but actually post-Edinburgh (because in between two of those lengthy trips I was gigging, and moved house etc).
It's nearly 1am as I write this, I've been sat staring at this laptop since midday. It's good laptop with an anti-glare screen thingy, so that's fine, and the football on the radio has been helping a lot. Anyway, sorting out touring plans, which took a lot longer than I thought, gig plans for the project with James, stag-do plans for Edd's bash (being a best man involves a LOT of admin, it turns out...or maybe it's just the way I'm best-manning) and also getting in 5 hours of proper freelance work, realising I hadn't quite hit the 20 hours this week because I got distracted with other stuff. And putting together the line-up for a stand-up night. And designing the poster for my 'other' Christmas show. And applying to three festivals. And trying to reschedule my Scandinavia tour, so it's at a time when it's more financially viable/warmer.
If anything, the day has gone quickly. The annoying thing is that tomorrow people will start replying to the emails and I'll get into a viscous circle where I never leave the house/my bedroom.
It's nearly 1am as I write this, I've been sat staring at this laptop since midday. It's good laptop with an anti-glare screen thingy, so that's fine, and the football on the radio has been helping a lot. Anyway, sorting out touring plans, which took a lot longer than I thought, gig plans for the project with James, stag-do plans for Edd's bash (being a best man involves a LOT of admin, it turns out...or maybe it's just the way I'm best-manning) and also getting in 5 hours of proper freelance work, realising I hadn't quite hit the 20 hours this week because I got distracted with other stuff. And putting together the line-up for a stand-up night. And designing the poster for my 'other' Christmas show. And applying to three festivals. And trying to reschedule my Scandinavia tour, so it's at a time when it's more financially viable/warmer.
If anything, the day has gone quickly. The annoying thing is that tomorrow people will start replying to the emails and I'll get into a viscous circle where I never leave the house/my bedroom.
Saturday 4th November 2017
Started the day by jamming the Tesco self-service machine with my change and the whole situation just went on for a lot longer than it should have done, as my panini got cold.
Got back, caught up on all emails and then spent a few hours applying for next year's Edinburgh Fringe shows - 3 shows, full run. 2 of them new, one of them a repeat of a piece that worked well this year, scripts nearly done already for everything and a director confirmed for the theatre piece. All good, things are building nicely for 2018.
Realised my script for 'A Cracking Christmas' isn't all that, so have put it aside - filming it at the end of November for a festive release was a bit adventerous anyway, as much as the script idea and treatment was lovely. One for next year.
Evening played a fireworks/dance music event - scheduled to play with James, but Claudia was on the bill too and asked if I could play percussion for her too, which I did, obviously. Claudia's set was great fun because we didn't have much of an audience so we just tried out new stuff, which was really strong. James had more of a crowd but it still felt like we were background music, good fun all the same.
Got back, caught up on all emails and then spent a few hours applying for next year's Edinburgh Fringe shows - 3 shows, full run. 2 of them new, one of them a repeat of a piece that worked well this year, scripts nearly done already for everything and a director confirmed for the theatre piece. All good, things are building nicely for 2018.
Realised my script for 'A Cracking Christmas' isn't all that, so have put it aside - filming it at the end of November for a festive release was a bit adventerous anyway, as much as the script idea and treatment was lovely. One for next year.
Evening played a fireworks/dance music event - scheduled to play with James, but Claudia was on the bill too and asked if I could play percussion for her too, which I did, obviously. Claudia's set was great fun because we didn't have much of an audience so we just tried out new stuff, which was really strong. James had more of a crowd but it still felt like we were background music, good fun all the same.
Saturday, 4 November 2017
Friday 3rd November 2017
Up early, despite writing till VERY late last night (inspired, Richards, see...must be the tea and the fact it's nearly Christmas). Over to the local radio station for a chat about the recent tour and just generally keep myself out there before the festive shows etc.
Popped by the college to drop off my DBS documents and then into town to pay in a royalty cheque.
Back home to write for a couple of hours, and then over to St Ives to pick up Jen and then into Cambs to pick up James and Claire for tonight's murder mystery show in Hemel Hempstead.
We tried something new tonight; a cast member down, we decided not to replace her but instead use the audience as the cast instead. It really worked, to a certain extent - it did mean though I had less control over the show than I normally do, and that's saying something. The audience members we picked for each short play were...rowdy. Very rowdy. Quite often they didn't stick to the script so a lot of the intricacies of the work were lost and there was a point where the cast, and me in particular, were drowned out.
After the show, a man came up to me and said, "I've worked 60 hours this week, I came down here for a nice meal, a few beers and a bit of light entertainment. You guys gave us that, it was great - thank you."
Happy punters, then, but it barely felt like a show at times. Still, not bad money. Home by 1am.
Thursday, 2 November 2017
Thursday 2nd November 2017
Not sure why, but really buzzing with ideas today - about to make everything...well, right, I guess. I've dwelled on stuff too much recently, written too many ideas down but not done much with them.
Today I took my mother shopping, and in my long hours sat in Waitrose car park wrote the most awesome of to-do lists and then started cracking on with it. I have plans, master plans, about how all of these projects can work and can be help build me a future.
Got back, emailed a few people about these plans, made sure everything is okay for tomorrow's show and cracked on with the Christmas show. I've got a good feeling about 2018. The rest of 2017 may drift a bit first, mind.
Today I took my mother shopping, and in my long hours sat in Waitrose car park wrote the most awesome of to-do lists and then started cracking on with it. I have plans, master plans, about how all of these projects can work and can be help build me a future.
Got back, emailed a few people about these plans, made sure everything is okay for tomorrow's show and cracked on with the Christmas show. I've got a good feeling about 2018. The rest of 2017 may drift a bit first, mind.
Wednesday 1st November 2017
Long day. Did 5 hours freelancing, disagreed with the new boss about business stuff, but we seem to get on well with the football chat.
Then over to teach drums at a college in town which was great fun - even got the maths teacher involved, was a really lovely way to spend an hour, I like it there. Mustn't become a full-time teacher, as much as I get the appeal...I can just see them improving, it's rather satisfying, but would take up too much time. Once a week is fine.
Then picked up Esther and over to a Christmas rehearsal with her, Stuart, Andrea and Ryan...some great tunes there. Esther pointed out that I'm "struggling to adjust being back in England" and she's right...we were only over there for 2 weeks but it was such an incredible two weeks, and I don't find Cambridge and these projects as exciting. Esther gets it more than most, as is often the case.
Then over to teach drums at a college in town which was great fun - even got the maths teacher involved, was a really lovely way to spend an hour, I like it there. Mustn't become a full-time teacher, as much as I get the appeal...I can just see them improving, it's rather satisfying, but would take up too much time. Once a week is fine.
Then picked up Esther and over to a Christmas rehearsal with her, Stuart, Andrea and Ryan...some great tunes there. Esther pointed out that I'm "struggling to adjust being back in England" and she's right...we were only over there for 2 weeks but it was such an incredible two weeks, and I don't find Cambridge and these projects as exciting. Esther gets it more than most, as is often the case.
Tuesday 31st October 2017
Was going to get stuff done today, but then woke up and thought...I've got enough time this week to do 20 hours of freelancing, I've got enough time to work on the Christmas show and reply to other emails...let's just stop for a moment.
Finally unpacked from China, and realised I had a load of washing to do (obviously) so did that. Went to Tescos and bought some ginger tea, and some lovely tiger bread, and some lovely meat, and enjoyed all of that. Proper grown up, I am.
Then off to the studio to finish the stuff with Rohan and Chris...probably the best studio I've ever recorded in, was a total pleasure.
Finally unpacked from China, and realised I had a load of washing to do (obviously) so did that. Went to Tescos and bought some ginger tea, and some lovely tiger bread, and some lovely meat, and enjoyed all of that. Proper grown up, I am.
Then off to the studio to finish the stuff with Rohan and Chris...probably the best studio I've ever recorded in, was a total pleasure.
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