The contrast in schools still baffles me. Anyway, morning at my Thursday school where the room is so tiny I can't do my regular jumping about and the kids all have anger issues. It's literally just four hours of angry children and me trying really hard to get them playing properly. There are a few exceptions, of course, a few of them are great, but I have 12 students there now and it's hard work.
Moved my afternoon school to tomorrow morning, meaning I could get home, shower, get changed and get the train into London for the first of three nights at the West End drumming for Dom. Having done this show with him (and Chad the pianist) in Edinburgh 24 days in a row, all we needed was one rehearsal (two hours before the show tonight) to refresh and then we were back in the swing of things. Whilst I don't always agree with Dom's political views, he's a top guy and his show is honestly great; so polished, so much effort has gone into it, it works on a lot of levels. Sold out tonight, really loud audience who couldn't get enough of it, we ended up overrunning by 10 minutes due to the amount of people. Nice to be involved in that sort of show and it's an early finish as it starts a 7pm - I'm out the building by 8.30pm and home and writing this by 11...
Thursday, 31 October 2019
Wednesday 30th October 2019
Slight lie-in, as I don't teach till 11am on Wednesdays, and then off to my regular school where the facilities are amazing, the kids are excitable so I have to work quite hard but they're certainly progressing. We're getting dangerously close to 'Christmas music season', as discussed with the head of music. I'm cool with this.
Took Mum shopping and got stressed that the dog is slowly making my new Mercedes smell of, well, dog, and then off to the college for a private lesson (amazing today, amazing stuff - I've 'made' him into this brilliant drummer from scratch (since last February) and now he's storming it in a great band...this is why they pay me so much there, I've really worked hard with this kid - he works so hard and I've totally met him in the middle) and then an hour of drum club where we worked on the college rap with the singing cleaner ahead of the forthcoming concert. The kids all have stage fright and the cleaner aggressively asking all of my students (including the girls), 'Are you man, or mouse?' in his gravelly Jamaican voice probably didn't help.
Got angry with Cambridge traffic but eventually made it to my private lesson with Z (brilliant today, it's stagnated a bit recently but he's back on it today and these drum fill exercises are really helping) and then off to an intense WAS rehearsal. So intense. So much pressure. Again, this is why I'm technically top level (locally, at least) and on good money because...fuck, some of this stuff is ridiculous. I didn't enjoy that as much as I normally do.
Took Mum shopping and got stressed that the dog is slowly making my new Mercedes smell of, well, dog, and then off to the college for a private lesson (amazing today, amazing stuff - I've 'made' him into this brilliant drummer from scratch (since last February) and now he's storming it in a great band...this is why they pay me so much there, I've really worked hard with this kid - he works so hard and I've totally met him in the middle) and then an hour of drum club where we worked on the college rap with the singing cleaner ahead of the forthcoming concert. The kids all have stage fright and the cleaner aggressively asking all of my students (including the girls), 'Are you man, or mouse?' in his gravelly Jamaican voice probably didn't help.
Got angry with Cambridge traffic but eventually made it to my private lesson with Z (brilliant today, it's stagnated a bit recently but he's back on it today and these drum fill exercises are really helping) and then off to an intense WAS rehearsal. So intense. So much pressure. Again, this is why I'm technically top level (locally, at least) and on good money because...fuck, some of this stuff is ridiculous. I didn't enjoy that as much as I normally do.
Tuesday 29th October 2019
I say this every week, but I really like the school I teach at on Tuesdays. The set up is just perfect, the staff are really nice and the kids are so creative...it's just a shame that the wonderful lady who I also teach there (she works in the office at the school) has been made redundant as her love of ska music was a nice break from the usual stuff for me.
Home for an hour to clear away the dead mice that second favourite cat had left for me ON MY PILLOW and then back out for three private lessons (first one: kid too tired to enjoy it, second one: really fantastic, third one: good fun) and then long, late FH rehearsals where the guys went over chords and vocal harmonies and I played with my phone a lot.
Home for an hour to clear away the dead mice that second favourite cat had left for me ON MY PILLOW and then back out for three private lessons (first one: kid too tired to enjoy it, second one: really fantastic, third one: good fun) and then long, late FH rehearsals where the guys went over chords and vocal harmonies and I played with my phone a lot.
Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Monday 28th October 2019
Morning off from the 'new' school as there was a teachers' training day, that I only found out about yesterday. Still, finally a chance to get rid of the old car - it's gone to Greg's wife, who is learning to drive. It's the perfect car for a new driver as it doesn't go above 65 miles an hour.
Burying my head into work this week, rather than creative stuff, to pay for the car, my share of the wedding, our future children etc. Adulting is expensive, isn't it?
Five private lessons today (first one: lovely, such a great student, second one: amazing, such a great student, third one: better than normal, usually a very distracted student, fourth one: very, very productive, fifth one: student drifted a bit but seems happy and will be fine for the showcase, he's normally more on it than this - but then again, so am I).
It's all good.
Burying my head into work this week, rather than creative stuff, to pay for the car, my share of the wedding, our future children etc. Adulting is expensive, isn't it?
Five private lessons today (first one: lovely, such a great student, second one: amazing, such a great student, third one: better than normal, usually a very distracted student, fourth one: very, very productive, fifth one: student drifted a bit but seems happy and will be fine for the showcase, he's normally more on it than this - but then again, so am I).
It's all good.
Sunday 27th October 2019
So much of last night's show didn't work, which is worrying considering it's the 57th time I've performed it. I reckon it peaked around the 30-mark.
Bit hungover.
Taught three private lessons (first one: fine, second one: unexpectedly awesome, third one: student getting scared of forthcoming showcase and I'm not sure if I did enough to help) and then back home to tidy the house after last night's show/party thing, before sorting out teaching schedules whist listening to the disappointing Spurs game. My schedule for next week is daft; lots of teaching (I've taken on two extra students, even though I said I wouldn't take on any more - basically I'm only taking on students who I think would be fun to teach) plus a West End run with Dom. This basically means lots of double-bookings, but it's all working out.
Wedding prep course in the evening, all fine. I'm a proper grown-up these days.
Bit hungover.
Taught three private lessons (first one: fine, second one: unexpectedly awesome, third one: student getting scared of forthcoming showcase and I'm not sure if I did enough to help) and then back home to tidy the house after last night's show/party thing, before sorting out teaching schedules whist listening to the disappointing Spurs game. My schedule for next week is daft; lots of teaching (I've taken on two extra students, even though I said I wouldn't take on any more - basically I'm only taking on students who I think would be fun to teach) plus a West End run with Dom. This basically means lots of double-bookings, but it's all working out.
Wedding prep course in the evening, all fine. I'm a proper grown-up these days.
Sunday, 27 October 2019
Saturday 26th October 2019
Leisurely drive home, listening to good tunes, home by mid-afternoon.
Tidied up, set up the show and then a bunch of mates came over for tonight's HG performance - the last house show in a while. My audience tonight were all friends, and all lovely: Pascale, Matt, Rob, Alison, Adam, Vanessa, Rich, other Vanessa, Alan, Edd, Emily, Phill, Dan and Mark. The performance was sloppy tonight, some of the lines were lost, it should have been so much better but everyone was very friendly.
Had a bit of a party afterwards, and then Adam and Vanessa crashed at ours so the four of us stayed up till the early hours drinking lovely whisky.
Tidied up, set up the show and then a bunch of mates came over for tonight's HG performance - the last house show in a while. My audience tonight were all friends, and all lovely: Pascale, Matt, Rob, Alison, Adam, Vanessa, Rich, other Vanessa, Alan, Edd, Emily, Phill, Dan and Mark. The performance was sloppy tonight, some of the lines were lost, it should have been so much better but everyone was very friendly.
Had a bit of a party afterwards, and then Adam and Vanessa crashed at ours so the four of us stayed up till the early hours drinking lovely whisky.
Friday 25th October 2019
Up early to head off to the Cotswolds for the night with A. It was part of her birthday present that I got her ages ago...gin tasting and a fancy hotel.
Really early start, but we were there in good time (this car is brilliant) and the gin/whisky tour was amazing. Drinking at 11am, though? Good fun, but we were pissed out our faces by lunchtime.
Spent a large chunk of our afternoon then just spent in the hotel room (I'll spare you the details), before hanging out in the spa and steam room for a while which was lovely.
Shame the restaurant at the hotel was so bad. Fancy place, but the service was shocking and I had an upset stomach after a dodgy steak (I'll spare you the details).
Still, nice to get away, isn't it?
Really early start, but we were there in good time (this car is brilliant) and the gin/whisky tour was amazing. Drinking at 11am, though? Good fun, but we were pissed out our faces by lunchtime.
Spent a large chunk of our afternoon then just spent in the hotel room (I'll spare you the details), before hanging out in the spa and steam room for a while which was lovely.
Shame the restaurant at the hotel was so bad. Fancy place, but the service was shocking and I had an upset stomach after a dodgy steak (I'll spare you the details).
Still, nice to get away, isn't it?
Thursday 24th October 2019
I didn't sleep well last night, worried about today. A big day. My mum met A's parents for the first time. It was fine, they all really got on and the dog was a nice distraction. We also all tried out various wedding cake options, the wedding itself is clearly going to be HUGE.
In the afternoon taught two private lessons (both fine, lots of progress) and then HG house show around Amanda's place. Easily the best this show has looked since Edinburgh; mega tight, audience crying at the end, as punchy as anything. Great to catch up with Josie afterwards, everyone there was just so nice. A cracking evening where I felt like a hero.
In the afternoon taught two private lessons (both fine, lots of progress) and then HG house show around Amanda's place. Easily the best this show has looked since Edinburgh; mega tight, audience crying at the end, as punchy as anything. Great to catch up with Josie afterwards, everyone there was just so nice. A cracking evening where I felt like a hero.
Wednesday 23rd October 2019
Mum's birthday, so took the day out to treat her to do whatever she wanted to. She chose to go to some lake area, where people bring their dogs, and on paper it all looked lovely but it was basically down a farm track and I got worried about my new car, which is very low and I think I now have a chip on my windscreen because of it.
Then took her to various shops in Cambridge, and then late lunch.
BBC recording cancelled tonight as the director was ill, so an unexpected night in with A, with a nice dinner.
Then took her to various shops in Cambridge, and then late lunch.
BBC recording cancelled tonight as the director was ill, so an unexpected night in with A, with a nice dinner.
Tuesday 22nd October 2019
Did some more writing of episode 7 this morning, before A and myself headed into town to do 'scary adult things' - ie; have a meeting with the bank to sort out our joint bank account, and then to spent a ridiculous amount of money on a really fancy, but will certainly be amazing, honeymoon.
Then dashed across town to teach a lesson to a very reluctant student, before heading home for a couple hours, which was mostly spent having a cat nap.
Evening had my latest HG house show, this time for Gerry. I always felt this would be a tougher show, some of her lot had seen me do stand-up many years ago and never appeared to be onside, but tonight was lovely. True, there was distractions (dogs, mostly) but it was tight, lively and lots of people said nice things afterwards.
Then dashed across town to teach a lesson to a very reluctant student, before heading home for a couple hours, which was mostly spent having a cat nap.
Evening had my latest HG house show, this time for Gerry. I always felt this would be a tougher show, some of her lot had seen me do stand-up many years ago and never appeared to be onside, but tonight was lovely. True, there was distractions (dogs, mostly) but it was tight, lively and lots of people said nice things afterwards.
Monday 21st October 2019
Planned as my absolute, total day off, but I still took on one lesson - a student who was supposed to be in yesterday morning but was feeling sick so I took pity on her and put her in today instead. It was a very productive lesson, she's one of the best ones I've got.
Got back and spent a majority of the day working on my 'teaching for pensioners' idea - website, all care homes messaged etc. Already quite a lot of interest, which is lovely.
A producer sent me over some venue suggestions for a HG tour so I then spent a few hours emailing all of those, with a February tour in mind.
I then just slept, a lot, because it feels like I haven't done that for a while.
Got back and spent a majority of the day working on my 'teaching for pensioners' idea - website, all care homes messaged etc. Already quite a lot of interest, which is lovely.
A producer sent me over some venue suggestions for a HG tour so I then spent a few hours emailing all of those, with a February tour in mind.
I then just slept, a lot, because it feels like I haven't done that for a while.
Sunday 20th October 2019
Determined to write a lot during this half term, but my to-do list of other stuff is growing...always growing.
Still, did a bit of work on episode 7 of the radio sitcom, what with the first six being recorded at the start of next month.
I love, love, love this new car. It's so easy to drive. After half-term my teaching schedule is busier than ever and that involves driving around a lot, but in this car it'll be a real pleasure. Just need to get rid of the other one now.
Caught up on teaching admin, mostly invoicing parents.
Taught a lesson with one of my favourite students, did a bit more work and in the evening performed HG around Inge's house. Such a lovely evening; lovely (huge) audience, enough running space for me, everyone onside and the performance was the strongest it's been for a long time. They also had a whip-round at the end, which I wasn't expecting, and I made over a hundred quid out of it. More evenings like this, please.
Still, did a bit of work on episode 7 of the radio sitcom, what with the first six being recorded at the start of next month.
I love, love, love this new car. It's so easy to drive. After half-term my teaching schedule is busier than ever and that involves driving around a lot, but in this car it'll be a real pleasure. Just need to get rid of the other one now.
Caught up on teaching admin, mostly invoicing parents.
Taught a lesson with one of my favourite students, did a bit more work and in the evening performed HG around Inge's house. Such a lovely evening; lovely (huge) audience, enough running space for me, everyone onside and the performance was the strongest it's been for a long time. They also had a whip-round at the end, which I wasn't expecting, and I made over a hundred quid out of it. More evenings like this, please.
Saturday, 19 October 2019
Saturday 19th October 2019
Bit hungover, but Andy's screaming child woke us all up in good time.
Wonderful three lessons (I know, three lessons on a Saturday, crazy), everyone on good form in good spirits.
Today was an expensive day, but I'm sorted now for all of the things I want in life. Went to a computer fair and picked up an expensive, but hopefully amazing, Mac. It has lots of top-level audio recording software included, as well as very high-end video editing software. No idea how to use any of it, of course, but creativity looms.
Then went and bought the Mercedes. A lovely car, so comfortable to drive. So many gadgets, some of them quite confusing.
But yeah, I have everything I need now. It's all good.
Evening house show at Tim's, much better than last night, about 30 people in, feels like I made a lot of new friends tonight.
Wonderful three lessons (I know, three lessons on a Saturday, crazy), everyone on good form in good spirits.
Today was an expensive day, but I'm sorted now for all of the things I want in life. Went to a computer fair and picked up an expensive, but hopefully amazing, Mac. It has lots of top-level audio recording software included, as well as very high-end video editing software. No idea how to use any of it, of course, but creativity looms.
Then went and bought the Mercedes. A lovely car, so comfortable to drive. So many gadgets, some of them quite confusing.
But yeah, I have everything I need now. It's all good.
Evening house show at Tim's, much better than last night, about 30 people in, feels like I made a lot of new friends tonight.
Friday 18th October 2019
My lie-in day! I enjoyed it very much, thank you.
Went into town and bought some new shirts and cashed in some wages, then had a nice hour at the school.
One private lesson followed (was fine) and then over to Andy's house for the first performance of HG since the fringe, and the start of my run of house shows. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be, audience not always engaged by it, but enough laughs in the right places. We got REALLY drunk afterwards, like old friends do.
Went into town and bought some new shirts and cashed in some wages, then had a nice hour at the school.
One private lesson followed (was fine) and then over to Andy's house for the first performance of HG since the fringe, and the start of my run of house shows. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be, audience not always engaged by it, but enough laughs in the right places. We got REALLY drunk afterwards, like old friends do.
Thursday 17th October 2019
My Thursday school is always so aggressive. Why is this? It's tough, today was a tough one there.
The next school was fine, it was a relief.
Quick private lesson with one of my regulars and then long rehearsal with the choir. The gig is quite soon, under a month a way, it feels like a lot of work needs to be done...
The next school was fine, it was a relief.
Quick private lesson with one of my regulars and then long rehearsal with the choir. The gig is quite soon, under a month a way, it feels like a lot of work needs to be done...
Wednesday 16th October 2019
The insurance for my new car (which I pick up on Saturday) is mega expensive. I guess going from a Renault Scenic to a Mercedes is quite a big jump. I won't miss the Scenic, an awful car.
Good lessons at the school in the morning, took Mum shopping in the afternoon and then the college was great today; we're preparing for a big concert and everyone seems up for it.
Quick drive over to Ely for a nice gig with Greg and band, warm audience and nice rapport onstage between the four of us, for quite good money. No complaints at all.
Good lessons at the school in the morning, took Mum shopping in the afternoon and then the college was great today; we're preparing for a big concert and everyone seems up for it.
Quick drive over to Ely for a nice gig with Greg and band, warm audience and nice rapport onstage between the four of us, for quite good money. No complaints at all.
Tuesday 15th October 2019
Really enjoyed the school today, everyone just seemed a bit sharper than normal, and I clearly was, too.
The private lessons afterwards all felt flat in comparison, but we're sticking to my schedule and everyone is learning what they should be.
Home in good time to actually have dinner with A, and then rehearse the HG show for the first time since August. It's mostly there. Mostly.
The private lessons afterwards all felt flat in comparison, but we're sticking to my schedule and everyone is learning what they should be.
Home in good time to actually have dinner with A, and then rehearse the HG show for the first time since August. It's mostly there. Mostly.
Monday 14th October 2019
My second day at my 'new' school and I liked it just as much; they're all good kids, this can work really well.
5 private lessons followed (first one - excellent, second one - too chatty but everyone is happy, third one - kid too distracted, fourth one - fantastic, we worked on a lot of jazz, fifth one - fine) and then over to Jacqui's house to record percussion for our new Christmas single.
5 private lessons followed (first one - excellent, second one - too chatty but everyone is happy, third one - kid too distracted, fourth one - fantastic, we worked on a lot of jazz, fifth one - fine) and then over to Jacqui's house to record percussion for our new Christmas single.
Sunday 13th October 2019
On very little sleep, we hit the road and headed home. Slept pretty much the whole way, of the 5-hour journey.
Got back and went to look at a new car. I know I only bought my Scenic last November, but it's been nothing but issues, including three breakdowns, so I've always been on the lookout for something else...especially now that I have a slightly larger budget thanks to all the work.
The 'new' car is a 12-year-old Mercedes, being sold by a mate. Good price, I fell in love with it straight away and agreed to buy it. I then had to convince A that it was a good move, as I know she wanted me to get something newer, but I went for it anyway.
Evening it was our second Wedding Prep Course night, which flew by and we got told about sex and stuff.
Got back and went to look at a new car. I know I only bought my Scenic last November, but it's been nothing but issues, including three breakdowns, so I've always been on the lookout for something else...especially now that I have a slightly larger budget thanks to all the work.
The 'new' car is a 12-year-old Mercedes, being sold by a mate. Good price, I fell in love with it straight away and agreed to buy it. I then had to convince A that it was a good move, as I know she wanted me to get something newer, but I went for it anyway.
Evening it was our second Wedding Prep Course night, which flew by and we got told about sex and stuff.
Saturday 12th October 2019
Back on the road, an early start and an early-is crossing back to the mainland, before a 3 hour drive down to Devon. Tired band.
This is a gig we stormed last year without G, who randomly pulled out. Obviously, we don't have him at all now, but we're settled enough. Sold-out show, amazingly good dinner and plenty of free beer. The set was fine, audience only really got into it when we went into a covers set in the second half. I guess at the end of the day we're being paid to entertain, and we certainly did that. My Auntie Carol turned up and danced at the front, which was slightly weird.
Drank late-night whisky with the landlord of our B+B and then Vix (my roommate for these out-of-town gigs) and I stayed up till very late chatting about everything, and drinking cider, as the boys slept in the other room. Top girl, one of the best.
This is a gig we stormed last year without G, who randomly pulled out. Obviously, we don't have him at all now, but we're settled enough. Sold-out show, amazingly good dinner and plenty of free beer. The set was fine, audience only really got into it when we went into a covers set in the second half. I guess at the end of the day we're being paid to entertain, and we certainly did that. My Auntie Carol turned up and danced at the front, which was slightly weird.
Drank late-night whisky with the landlord of our B+B and then Vix (my roommate for these out-of-town gigs) and I stayed up till very late chatting about everything, and drinking cider, as the boys slept in the other room. Top girl, one of the best.
Friday 11th October 2019
FH off to the Isle of Wight today. V left it late booking our ferry, we very nearly missed out altogether but in the end we took a much earlier ferry and got away with it. Much stress ensued, but we hired a great little van and it was comfortable enough.
Long day - we drove down to Portsmouth, and then on the Ferry for 45 minutes, and then another hour on the road, but I loved it all, just catching up on emails and hanging out with some of my best buddies.
The gig was a bit like the last time we were there...a very big, but very reserved audience, who only really got into it in the second half. We were awesome tonight, really tight.
The Isle of Wight is an odd place at this time of year; literally nobody about and all the bars are closed by 11pm. We wanted to have a few drinks, but settled on a takeaway at midnight by the deserted seafront.
Long day - we drove down to Portsmouth, and then on the Ferry for 45 minutes, and then another hour on the road, but I loved it all, just catching up on emails and hanging out with some of my best buddies.
The gig was a bit like the last time we were there...a very big, but very reserved audience, who only really got into it in the second half. We were awesome tonight, really tight.
The Isle of Wight is an odd place at this time of year; literally nobody about and all the bars are closed by 11pm. We wanted to have a few drinks, but settled on a takeaway at midnight by the deserted seafront.
Thursday 10th October 2019
Well, at least I got my writing done this evening - just working on the GP show, it's sounding cool already.
Two schools today (first one: aggressive, second one: so painfully quiet) and three private lessons with no sense of logic regarding their locations so I was zig-zagging about all over the place.
Two schools today (first one: aggressive, second one: so painfully quiet) and three private lessons with no sense of logic regarding their locations so I was zig-zagging about all over the place.
Wednesday 9th October 2019
This has been such a long term, it's just going on forever. It is a real job, I've accepted that, but I am worried that it's stopping me be as creative as I'd like. This evening was a quieter one, I was done and home by 8.30pm but instead of writing I slobbed out on the sofa.
It's fine, tomorrow I'll have more energy. Today, though, I taught in the school, at the college (including private students) and two private lessons after that. We got through it.
It's fine, tomorrow I'll have more energy. Today, though, I taught in the school, at the college (including private students) and two private lessons after that. We got through it.
Tuesday 8th October 2019
Fun day at one of my latest schools; so much to get through there, always a bit tight for time but we somehow manage to just about get away with it.
Three private lessons in three very different locations followed, all of them just 'fine' - it feels like proper work sometimes, but I know what I'm doing with this.
Then over to the pub for a catch up with Greg and Sam to discuss our new regular night, and to generally just drink beer and chat nonsense, in the best possible way.
Three private lessons in three very different locations followed, all of them just 'fine' - it feels like proper work sometimes, but I know what I'm doing with this.
Then over to the pub for a catch up with Greg and Sam to discuss our new regular night, and to generally just drink beer and chat nonsense, in the best possible way.
Monday 7th October 2019
Finally started at my latest school, after quite a long delay. I'd heard/read some negative things about it, Ofsted and all that, but actually it's a total joy - the classes are huge, so when the kids get to me they are so grateful for the one-to-one attention. It's going to be more than fine.
Then dashed over from there for a meeting with Jonny, who is directing the HG film. Just an excuse to catch up if anything else, a quick progress check, it's a slow process, this feature film lark, but we're getting there.
My usual 4 Monday private lessons followed (first one - really amazing, second one - kid far too distracted, third one - student is fine but the lesson felt slow, fourth one - good fun) and back to writing at home. So many ideas, not enough me.
Then dashed over from there for a meeting with Jonny, who is directing the HG film. Just an excuse to catch up if anything else, a quick progress check, it's a slow process, this feature film lark, but we're getting there.
My usual 4 Monday private lessons followed (first one - really amazing, second one - kid far too distracted, third one - student is fine but the lesson felt slow, fourth one - good fun) and back to writing at home. So many ideas, not enough me.
Sunday, 6 October 2019
Sunday 6th October 2019
Three lessons on a Sunday?! But all great, in different sorts of ways (the first one - outstanding, because the student requested an amazing song I'd never heard before and it was lovely, second one - one of my favourite students who asks so many questions and pushes me but he's getting there, third one - one of my very long-term students, we went over his bits for the concert and I had a nice chat to his lovely mum who is very much a friend), done by 2pm so I could have lunch with A who is in TOTAL WEDDING MODE.
Which is fine. But it's still 299 days, 11 hours and 59 minutes away, according to a countdown thing that we've both got on our phones. We enjoyed the time together this afternoon, before she went off to watch Downtown Abbey with her mum in the studio and I worked out my register and lesson plan for my first day at the new school tomorrow morning.
In the evening I met up with Alan, other Alan, Liz, Samantha, Warren and Rory for a reading of all six episodes of my band sitcom. It's for a podcast release, written with that in mind and it really, really works - this team are amazing. Really happy with the scripts, there were some moments where the cast couldn't speak because they were laughing too much (a particular favourite being, "So, how was your evening...did you get up to much?" - "I ate ham alone.")
It's gonna be great. We've got a former Blue Peter presenter and a guy who was in Hot Fuzz in this show, alongside the others. A great team, recording dates in the diary for November.
Which is fine. But it's still 299 days, 11 hours and 59 minutes away, according to a countdown thing that we've both got on our phones. We enjoyed the time together this afternoon, before she went off to watch Downtown Abbey with her mum in the studio and I worked out my register and lesson plan for my first day at the new school tomorrow morning.
In the evening I met up with Alan, other Alan, Liz, Samantha, Warren and Rory for a reading of all six episodes of my band sitcom. It's for a podcast release, written with that in mind and it really, really works - this team are amazing. Really happy with the scripts, there were some moments where the cast couldn't speak because they were laughing too much (a particular favourite being, "So, how was your evening...did you get up to much?" - "I ate ham alone.")
It's gonna be great. We've got a former Blue Peter presenter and a guy who was in Hot Fuzz in this show, alongside the others. A great team, recording dates in the diary for November.
Saturday 5th October 2019
It honestly is all good, at the moment. I'm in two amazing bands, I have a BBC radio sitcom thing being recorded, I have a West End run of my hit Edinburgh show, I earn plenty of money teaching people how to drum (I start in yet another school next week) and I love drums, I'm getting married to a beautiful girl who really looks after me (not that I need looking after). 2 years ago I would have killed for this. 2 years ago I was nothing.
Yet still I get grumpy about the fact that I am, well, growing up. Josie, Vix and I wanted to party after last night's gig because we'd had a fun night, but I didn't because: 1) as established, there's no such thing as a quick drink with Josie and I need to see more of my future wife and 2) I had to teach at 9.30am this morning. Like a grown-up, with a job.
The lesson itself was lovely. Just the one today as my other Saturday student was away, but really worth the trip over. I get on well with the dad of the kid, we both like football and Fleabag.
Got home, got stroppy to myself about the show I'm writing for Emma. It just doesn't work. The idea is AMAZING, but the show doesn't work, at all. She's waited ages for this. I've decided to scrap it, I've restarted writing it 4 times now, it just isn't happening. I'll write her something else instead.
Small but wonderful FH gig tonight, we're getting so tight now and the buzz is back. Prue is a wonderful addition, not just onstage but off it (she gets our humour - she and I had a mini food fight backstage tonight), I want it to work for V, who was the only one who believed in this project when everyone else was looking elsewhere. We're on the way up, again, and it's a lovely thing.
Yet still I get grumpy about the fact that I am, well, growing up. Josie, Vix and I wanted to party after last night's gig because we'd had a fun night, but I didn't because: 1) as established, there's no such thing as a quick drink with Josie and I need to see more of my future wife and 2) I had to teach at 9.30am this morning. Like a grown-up, with a job.
The lesson itself was lovely. Just the one today as my other Saturday student was away, but really worth the trip over. I get on well with the dad of the kid, we both like football and Fleabag.
Got home, got stroppy to myself about the show I'm writing for Emma. It just doesn't work. The idea is AMAZING, but the show doesn't work, at all. She's waited ages for this. I've decided to scrap it, I've restarted writing it 4 times now, it just isn't happening. I'll write her something else instead.
Small but wonderful FH gig tonight, we're getting so tight now and the buzz is back. Prue is a wonderful addition, not just onstage but off it (she gets our humour - she and I had a mini food fight backstage tonight), I want it to work for V, who was the only one who believed in this project when everyone else was looking elsewhere. We're on the way up, again, and it's a lovely thing.
Friday 4th October 2019
Huzzah for Friday, which is my favourite day of the week because I don't have to do anything until 1pm! Although that may change if my new plan comes together, I've turned down two primary schools for this slot - I want to try something else for my Friday mornings and I'm quite excited about the idea.
Needed the lie-in this morning, though, never a quick drink with Josie.
The school was fine today, everyone seems happy, and the private lesson after was okay; we're working on a tricky song but she's a good student.
In the evening, FH played a cracking venue, supporting our friends who had their album launch. A year or so ago we were headlining these sort of venues ourselves but it's been a weird year, a really weird year. We're back, though, the confidence is (re)building. A brilliant night - both bands were on outstanding form.
Needed the lie-in this morning, though, never a quick drink with Josie.
The school was fine today, everyone seems happy, and the private lesson after was okay; we're working on a tricky song but she's a good student.
In the evening, FH played a cracking venue, supporting our friends who had their album launch. A year or so ago we were headlining these sort of venues ourselves but it's been a weird year, a really weird year. We're back, though, the confidence is (re)building. A brilliant night - both bands were on outstanding form.
Thursday 3rd October 2019
My 'this day only works if the roads are clear' day of the week. Two of my 'other' schools, where the kids are aggressive and my kit is often beaten more than I'd like. It was fine, 2 schools, 15 loud students...it's work, isn't it?
Both private lessons were outstanding, and I had a gap in the middle to come home and tidy the house ahead of the estate agent coming around to value it. Turns out it's worth exactly the same as the house we're about to buy, which I think it's logical. I mean, we're basically leaving a 2-bed house in a remarkably posh area, to go to a 4-bed house in an area where (as I was told by a friend) kids "ask if you have a spare quid". Think of the drum studio, though...
I'm not on the edge as such, but there's just a lot happening at the moment. I've confirmed my West End run, both bands have loads of gigs coming up, my teaching business means I'm working 11 hours a day, we've got the HG film in development, the GP show which I really need to write at some point as it's such an opportunity, the wedding, the house move...I was feeling it a bit today.
My old mucker Josie is having a bit of a, shall we say, confusing time as well, so we met up tonight for beer and about 5 hours of solid chat. She's a goodun, a real goodun. I'm really happy we met randomly at that covers gig in Histon a couple of years ago, a real friendship is born.
Both private lessons were outstanding, and I had a gap in the middle to come home and tidy the house ahead of the estate agent coming around to value it. Turns out it's worth exactly the same as the house we're about to buy, which I think it's logical. I mean, we're basically leaving a 2-bed house in a remarkably posh area, to go to a 4-bed house in an area where (as I was told by a friend) kids "ask if you have a spare quid". Think of the drum studio, though...
I'm not on the edge as such, but there's just a lot happening at the moment. I've confirmed my West End run, both bands have loads of gigs coming up, my teaching business means I'm working 11 hours a day, we've got the HG film in development, the GP show which I really need to write at some point as it's such an opportunity, the wedding, the house move...I was feeling it a bit today.
My old mucker Josie is having a bit of a, shall we say, confusing time as well, so we met up tonight for beer and about 5 hours of solid chat. She's a goodun, a real goodun. I'm really happy we met randomly at that covers gig in Histon a couple of years ago, a real friendship is born.
Wednesday 2nd October 2019
The problem with now starting at the school slightly later is that is that I get a kinda lie-in, but not quite a lie-in, and a result I end up just being drowsy and being late. It's good though, always a nice school, attentive kids and only an hour so my own energy is still pretty high.
Took Mum shopping and my car played up a lot, but it just about kept going. That car must go at some point. I'm earning okay but I'm just really, really stingy. And West End runs, and weddings, and houses...it all costs a lot. And, I want to get a Macbook just so I can get Garageband and record a solo album hip-hop album under the name of Ian, obviously.
The college was outstanding today, the private lesson there beforehand was fine, but 'drum club' afterwards was really fun. Last week, I really didn't have control over the room, but this week only 4 people turned up and we had a very lovely time.
Two private lessons followed (first one: awesome, second one: the kid keeps wanting to do songs with rude words in and his parents keep thinking it's me that's picking these songs and then the kid laughs as I take the blame AND IT'S LIKE THIS EVERY WEEK) and then WAS rehearsal with our rather brilliant new guitarist. Such a chilled out session, totally what I needed.
Took Mum shopping and my car played up a lot, but it just about kept going. That car must go at some point. I'm earning okay but I'm just really, really stingy. And West End runs, and weddings, and houses...it all costs a lot. And, I want to get a Macbook just so I can get Garageband and record a solo album hip-hop album under the name of Ian, obviously.
The college was outstanding today, the private lesson there beforehand was fine, but 'drum club' afterwards was really fun. Last week, I really didn't have control over the room, but this week only 4 people turned up and we had a very lovely time.
Two private lessons followed (first one: awesome, second one: the kid keeps wanting to do songs with rude words in and his parents keep thinking it's me that's picking these songs and then the kid laughs as I take the blame AND IT'S LIKE THIS EVERY WEEK) and then WAS rehearsal with our rather brilliant new guitarist. Such a chilled out session, totally what I needed.
Tuesday, 1 October 2019
Tuesday 1st October 2019
Yeah, today was a bit flat, to be honest, after all the many fun things of yesterday. The school was fine, this new-ish one is still one of my favourites even if there is a lot of waiting around. One parent complained that their child's lesson was "only 16 minutes instead of 20" and I had to explain that it's because the lesson was at lunchtime and the child requested that they eat, rather than learn. We get a lot of that.
Confirmed the West End run for HG. Next February. I'll get Christmas out of the way and go for it.
Three private lessons (first one - really nice and very polite, second one - kid was a bit rusty but we got there in the end, third one - great) and home to have dinner with A, and apologise a lot for how busy I am for the rest of the week...
Confirmed the West End run for HG. Next February. I'll get Christmas out of the way and go for it.
Three private lessons (first one - really nice and very polite, second one - kid was a bit rusty but we got there in the end, third one - great) and home to have dinner with A, and apologise a lot for how busy I am for the rest of the week...
Monday 30th September 2019
That was a bit of a busy day. Started working on my tax return last night, and nailed it all this morning - not as much as I thought I'd have to pay, but still enough to make me go "shit, probably should have kept track of this and put a bit more aside." It's all doable, though. I'll learn from this in the future, too.
Midway through my first lesson I get a text from Dom asking me to call him, after the lesson I do and it turns out he has a gig offer in Mexico and he'd like to bring his fringe band (me and the pianist) with him for the show - we're already doing the London run next month with him. I mean, it's Mexico for ONE GIG, but equally it's expenses paid and they're nice people, we could have a bit of a laugh doing it?
I then decided to bite the bullet and book my own West End run in for HG. My thinking had to been to go to another London venue and invite all manner of producers, but in the end...well, who needs money, anyway? I've funded the three nights myself. On paper it's expensive, but I only need to sell 20 tickets a night to break even, in a 70-capacity, very central room.
Somebody in the US bought the performance rights to a play I wrote ages ago and never liked then. This play has made me a lot of money over the years, as much as I've never really liked it.
We've made an offer for the new house. Fingers crossed...it has a ready-made drum studio and everything.
Taught six private lessons today (first one - tired but fine, second one - wonderful, third one - best in a very long time - I was on fire!, fourth one - kid was too distracted, fifth one - fine, but needs a few more ideas, sixth one - excellent).
I kinda hope the rest of the week calms down a bit...
Midway through my first lesson I get a text from Dom asking me to call him, after the lesson I do and it turns out he has a gig offer in Mexico and he'd like to bring his fringe band (me and the pianist) with him for the show - we're already doing the London run next month with him. I mean, it's Mexico for ONE GIG, but equally it's expenses paid and they're nice people, we could have a bit of a laugh doing it?
I then decided to bite the bullet and book my own West End run in for HG. My thinking had to been to go to another London venue and invite all manner of producers, but in the end...well, who needs money, anyway? I've funded the three nights myself. On paper it's expensive, but I only need to sell 20 tickets a night to break even, in a 70-capacity, very central room.
Somebody in the US bought the performance rights to a play I wrote ages ago and never liked then. This play has made me a lot of money over the years, as much as I've never really liked it.
We've made an offer for the new house. Fingers crossed...it has a ready-made drum studio and everything.
Taught six private lessons today (first one - tired but fine, second one - wonderful, third one - best in a very long time - I was on fire!, fourth one - kid was too distracted, fifth one - fine, but needs a few more ideas, sixth one - excellent).
I kinda hope the rest of the week calms down a bit...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)