Up early to teach my regular Sunday morning student (after a reluctant start he REALLY gets into it now - to the extent he keeps wanting to perform songs to his brother, it's wonderful) and then back to book my hotels for the forthcoming HG dates - nice, cheap accommodation booked for Wales, Southampton, Oxford and Bristol. I'm doing things properly this year.
I then booked my Edinburgh Fringe accommodation, remarkably early. I still wince at how much all this costs. £400 for a week isn't bad, especially for an ensuite, double room less than a mile from my venue but still, the fringe is an expensive beast.
Taught two more lessons (first one: dragged big style, barely a lesson to be honest - she was so tired, second one: amazing, exhausting, such progress!) and back home for a nice dinner with A.
Spent a couple hours lesson planning for the week ahead and sorting out my double-bookings (how have I got so many double bookings?!) and accidentally took on yet another student. I'd vowed not to, but she's a friend of a friend, a good friend, so time can be made.
Have also agreed to run a drum workshop in Oxford which, amazingly, I've managed to tie in with my show there in the evening. It's lovely when things work out, isn't it?
Sunday, 26 January 2020
Saturday 25th January 2020
I really enjoyed today. I'm not just saying that because 2 lessons were cancelled (one to illness, one because neither parent was around) which meant I could sleep in, but it helps sometimes, to have a little downtime, doesn't it?
Tinkled with some new ideas for the fringe, also went over some older ideas too as the idea of a series of bite-sized plays was appealing to Alan. And then I thought, "what's the point?" as I've got one decent show heading to the fringe, I'll only be there for a week and I'll be knackered having just flown from Africa. Maybe treat it as an extra holiday? Then I got all excited about an idea again.
Read through the play we looked at on Friday again and I still like it. Not for these guys, clearly, but I'm not going to throw it away just yet.
Taught a nice lesson, with a kid who is clearly having a difficult time but I feel like I dealt with it well. This sort of thing is almost becoming my speciality.
Got back, exercised for an hour which nearly killed me, had a good play with my new practice pad/metronome (which will be a big part of future lessons), turned down 2 gigs, replied to a load of emails and then A and myself popped out for a cheeky Nandos.
Spent the rest of the evening watching all of series six of Peep Show whilst getting drunk. She gets me.
Tinkled with some new ideas for the fringe, also went over some older ideas too as the idea of a series of bite-sized plays was appealing to Alan. And then I thought, "what's the point?" as I've got one decent show heading to the fringe, I'll only be there for a week and I'll be knackered having just flown from Africa. Maybe treat it as an extra holiday? Then I got all excited about an idea again.
Read through the play we looked at on Friday again and I still like it. Not for these guys, clearly, but I'm not going to throw it away just yet.
Taught a nice lesson, with a kid who is clearly having a difficult time but I feel like I dealt with it well. This sort of thing is almost becoming my speciality.
Got back, exercised for an hour which nearly killed me, had a good play with my new practice pad/metronome (which will be a big part of future lessons), turned down 2 gigs, replied to a load of emails and then A and myself popped out for a cheeky Nandos.
Spent the rest of the evening watching all of series six of Peep Show whilst getting drunk. She gets me.
Friday, 24 January 2020
Friday 24th January 2020
Stuff is building up. I've got the filming dates for the HG feature movie through from the director...we finish filming 2 days before my wedding. It'll be fine, yeah?
We bought a house last week, too, that's all a bit grown-up. It's our dream home, 4 bedrooms, nice area, so many bathrooms, 3 floors. A's parents have helped us out a bit to get us over the line, but we move in April. I have to get life insurance and everything.
Cracking morning at favourite school, then got angry with the A14 roadworks but still made it to regular school for another 2 hours.
2 decent private lessons followed.
Evening I met up with Alan and Sam to go over the new script and, I don't know, it put me on a bit of a downer. I really, really respect Alan's opinions, and he was probably right. This one was "entertaining" but "needs a little work in places" - he then went on to say that it was just a very 'nice' play, and in the right hands could be a tidy little show. Having heard the read-through, I agree. It's nice. Not exciting. Nice. He went on to say how he thinks Harvey G should run for another three or four years, and how much he's enjoying the podcast sitcom we're recording at the moment. But this one doesn't quite hit the mark, it's fine, it works, it tells a nice story, but it has 3 stars written all over it.
Not everything can be brilliant, I get that (my work ranges from big hit to major failure, often within the same year), but it's still annoying having spent a while writing this one. Not that one person's opinion means everything, of course, but I understood what he was saying. Sam is great - she understood it, but equally felt daunted by the very long monologue bits.
It's a fine little script, that I'll come back to with fresh eyes at some point. Alan and Sam both want to do Edinburgh, and both seem keen for me to write them something. We've set a deadline of the end of February for a new script.
I'm loving Ben Folds' book at the moment, for many reasons, mostly though because of his restlessness. I want to have that level of energy in my work, too.
I've got plenty on the go; the podcast sitcom, the BBC Radio thing, HG - stage show (tour and fringe), HG - feature movie, 2 bands, more with WAS, too much teaching work, a house move, a wedding...but I just need one more project, just one more to keep me excited.
We bought a house last week, too, that's all a bit grown-up. It's our dream home, 4 bedrooms, nice area, so many bathrooms, 3 floors. A's parents have helped us out a bit to get us over the line, but we move in April. I have to get life insurance and everything.
Cracking morning at favourite school, then got angry with the A14 roadworks but still made it to regular school for another 2 hours.
2 decent private lessons followed.
Evening I met up with Alan and Sam to go over the new script and, I don't know, it put me on a bit of a downer. I really, really respect Alan's opinions, and he was probably right. This one was "entertaining" but "needs a little work in places" - he then went on to say that it was just a very 'nice' play, and in the right hands could be a tidy little show. Having heard the read-through, I agree. It's nice. Not exciting. Nice. He went on to say how he thinks Harvey G should run for another three or four years, and how much he's enjoying the podcast sitcom we're recording at the moment. But this one doesn't quite hit the mark, it's fine, it works, it tells a nice story, but it has 3 stars written all over it.
Not everything can be brilliant, I get that (my work ranges from big hit to major failure, often within the same year), but it's still annoying having spent a while writing this one. Not that one person's opinion means everything, of course, but I understood what he was saying. Sam is great - she understood it, but equally felt daunted by the very long monologue bits.
It's a fine little script, that I'll come back to with fresh eyes at some point. Alan and Sam both want to do Edinburgh, and both seem keen for me to write them something. We've set a deadline of the end of February for a new script.
I'm loving Ben Folds' book at the moment, for many reasons, mostly though because of his restlessness. I want to have that level of energy in my work, too.
I've got plenty on the go; the podcast sitcom, the BBC Radio thing, HG - stage show (tour and fringe), HG - feature movie, 2 bands, more with WAS, too much teaching work, a house move, a wedding...but I just need one more project, just one more to keep me excited.
Thursday 23rd January 2020
My least favourite school has been bothering me for a while...I've decided to stop being worried about it, and start trying to find a solution. What I do works everywhere else, why doesn't it work here? I decided to move the kit around, to have a better vision of the students, and also to give them all 'course' books so they have actual reference points (which isn't needed anywhere else). It worked a treat, we had a fun 4 hours today. This can work out.
Over to the quiet school after that, which was fine, and then three private lessons (first one: loud, the mum finds the noise my car makes funny, second one: awesome as always, third one: brilliant).
Got back and realised the noise my car was making was due to a bit of the front bumper hanging off, scraping against the ground - clearly I'd gone over a speed bump too fast or something. Fixed it by literally cutting the loose bit off with a pair of scissors and now the car is fine, if looking a little weird. Who needs a mechanic?
Then re-read the new play for tomorrow, twice, and I'm suddenly really unsure about it.
Over to the quiet school after that, which was fine, and then three private lessons (first one: loud, the mum finds the noise my car makes funny, second one: awesome as always, third one: brilliant).
Got back and realised the noise my car was making was due to a bit of the front bumper hanging off, scraping against the ground - clearly I'd gone over a speed bump too fast or something. Fixed it by literally cutting the loose bit off with a pair of scissors and now the car is fine, if looking a little weird. Who needs a mechanic?
Then re-read the new play for tomorrow, twice, and I'm suddenly really unsure about it.
Wednesday 22nd January 2020
Didn't set my alarm and woke up mega late (9.40am) but luckily my new early student at the school doesn't start until next week so there was no harm done.
A good 3 lessons at the school, took Mum shopping, got niggly because my car was making an odd noise (WHY DO ALL OF MY CARS FUCK UP? EVEN THE GOOD ONES?), and then taught two cracking jazz sessions at the college.
One more private lesson followed (goodun) and home for nice tea with A, whilst listening to the football. Perfect evening.
A good 3 lessons at the school, took Mum shopping, got niggly because my car was making an odd noise (WHY DO ALL OF MY CARS FUCK UP? EVEN THE GOOD ONES?), and then taught two cracking jazz sessions at the college.
One more private lesson followed (goodun) and home for nice tea with A, whilst listening to the football. Perfect evening.
Tuesday 21st January 2020
Long morning/early afternoon at favourite school, where the kids are so enthusiastic and there's so many of them. It's tiring, but hard to dislike it as they all buy into my philosophy and are progressing brilliantly.
Popped home briefly to play with new metronome/practice pad tool, and then out for three private lessons (first one: amazing, second one: always fun but not enough development, third one: real, proper progress, was great fun)
Then late FH rehearsals, in which we all seemed a bit tired and niggly. We've got one new song which still isn't quite gelling and we're all a bit grumpy because we can't work out why. We've changed the rhythm at least 5 times for it, before going back to my original suggestion, we've added keys, we've taken out keys, we've changed the guitar and baselines constantly. It's still not there, just yet.
Popped home briefly to play with new metronome/practice pad tool, and then out for three private lessons (first one: amazing, second one: always fun but not enough development, third one: real, proper progress, was great fun)
Then late FH rehearsals, in which we all seemed a bit tired and niggly. We've got one new song which still isn't quite gelling and we're all a bit grumpy because we can't work out why. We've changed the rhythm at least 5 times for it, before going back to my original suggestion, we've added keys, we've taken out keys, we've changed the guitar and baselines constantly. It's still not there, just yet.
Monday 20th January 2020
A long day of pretty much solid teaching, made even more weird because A is at home recovering from her op. She's frustrated, being such an active person normally, and I'm dashing about everywhere.
The morning school was lovely, everyone onside, and then six private lessons in a row (first one: fine, second one: drifted a bit but okay, third one: amazing, fourth one: kid distracted but mostly fine, fifth one: great, sixth one: fun) and home to edit the script ahead of a first look at it with some actors on Friday.
Knackered.
The morning school was lovely, everyone onside, and then six private lessons in a row (first one: fine, second one: drifted a bit but okay, third one: amazing, fourth one: kid distracted but mostly fine, fifth one: great, sixth one: fun) and home to edit the script ahead of a first look at it with some actors on Friday.
Knackered.
Sunday, 19 January 2020
Sunday 19th January 2020
Should I really be working on a Sunday? Well, yeah, because things are expensive at the moment, but also because I'm trying to have a nicer quality of life. For example, I'm only doing a week at the fringe the this year, but have decided to stay in a hotel and relax a bit whilst I'm there...that's costing me nearly a grand.
Work now, enjoy it in the summer...
Just the three private lessons today anyway and they were all lovely - in particular the third one as I found out the parents are huge fans of Ben Folds, so I taught their daughter a Ben Folds song and they were so happy.
In the gap in the middle of those lessons I popped back, made A some lunch, and then just wanted to have a little time for myself - longest bath ever, longest scrub of the teeth ever, bit of a detox. I'm gonna try and do this every Sunday if possible.
In the evening we recorded 3 more episodes of the radio sitcom. To really get into the spirit of the outdoor scenes, we recorded them all outside - on Alan's balcony. It was great, if freezing - we've now recorded 7 out of the 8 episodes of this and the cast are so totally in character. I've got a wonderful ensemble here, we're all keen to do a second series before the first one has even gone out.
I'm generally quite excited by a lot of things at the moment.
Work now, enjoy it in the summer...
Just the three private lessons today anyway and they were all lovely - in particular the third one as I found out the parents are huge fans of Ben Folds, so I taught their daughter a Ben Folds song and they were so happy.
In the gap in the middle of those lessons I popped back, made A some lunch, and then just wanted to have a little time for myself - longest bath ever, longest scrub of the teeth ever, bit of a detox. I'm gonna try and do this every Sunday if possible.
In the evening we recorded 3 more episodes of the radio sitcom. To really get into the spirit of the outdoor scenes, we recorded them all outside - on Alan's balcony. It was great, if freezing - we've now recorded 7 out of the 8 episodes of this and the cast are so totally in character. I've got a wonderful ensemble here, we're all keen to do a second series before the first one has even gone out.
I'm generally quite excited by a lot of things at the moment.
Saturday 18th January 2020
We got drunk last night watching TV (well, I did, A is still on medication) and then I accidentally organised a charity gig. Got it confirmed by the venue this morning, which confused me at first as I don't remember sending the email in the first place. Turns out when I'm drunk, I'm very charitable.
Three private lessons (first one: fine, if tired student, second one: awesome, third one: new student - but who is actually a parent of one of school pupils, great, great fun, so enthusiastic).
Then spent four hours organising this charity gig properly - making the posters, social media stuff, telling the students, booking musicians and time slots. A lot more work than you think. And I think, too, as I often forget about the admin.
Can't really go out as A needs someone to be around as she recovers, so we watched all of series 6 of Peep Show on Netflix. Still a nice way to spend an evening.
Three private lessons (first one: fine, if tired student, second one: awesome, third one: new student - but who is actually a parent of one of school pupils, great, great fun, so enthusiastic).
Then spent four hours organising this charity gig properly - making the posters, social media stuff, telling the students, booking musicians and time slots. A lot more work than you think. And I think, too, as I often forget about the admin.
Can't really go out as A needs someone to be around as she recovers, so we watched all of series 6 of Peep Show on Netflix. Still a nice way to spend an evening.
Friday 17th January 2020
7 students at the first school (all awesome - awesome school, awesome set-up, awesome students), then got angry with traffic before eventually (just) making it to my second primary, which was good fun.
Saw Mum for half an hour, and then just two very easy private lessons which totally flew by.
Did the food shop, like a house husband, and then cooked us dinner. Kind of. I mean, A, who is still quite ill, was in the kitchen giving me a LOT of instructions, but I still made us a lovely proper meal.
I feel like a proper grown up.
Saw Mum for half an hour, and then just two very easy private lessons which totally flew by.
Did the food shop, like a house husband, and then cooked us dinner. Kind of. I mean, A, who is still quite ill, was in the kitchen giving me a LOT of instructions, but I still made us a lovely proper meal.
I feel like a proper grown up.
Thursday 16th January 2020
A's in hospital for her operation - nothing too serious, but still a 7 hour stay there, with a 1 in 3,000 chance of dying. I know the odds are very much on her side, but we were both a bit worried this morning, our 'goodbye' as I left for work and as her mum picked her up felt weird.
Feeling a little tense, I was then at my least favourite school, where the kids all messed around and, due to an over-running assembly, I couldn't even get half of them into a lesson in the first place. Felt like a bit of a mess.
Treated myself to a drive-through burger as I was very annoyed about all that. My other school was great, though, and the three private lessons that followed rocked big time, especially the middle one where I seem VERY popular in that household.
Home, long wait due to complications, but eventually A is back. It all went well, but she has a lot of recovering to do. I need to be on proper house husband duties for the next couple of weeks...
Feeling a little tense, I was then at my least favourite school, where the kids all messed around and, due to an over-running assembly, I couldn't even get half of them into a lesson in the first place. Felt like a bit of a mess.
Treated myself to a drive-through burger as I was very annoyed about all that. My other school was great, though, and the three private lessons that followed rocked big time, especially the middle one where I seem VERY popular in that household.
Home, long wait due to complications, but eventually A is back. It all went well, but she has a lot of recovering to do. I need to be on proper house husband duties for the next couple of weeks...
Wednesday, 15 January 2020
Wednesday 15th January 2020
Up early, new student at my regular school. The school bully, he's only 5 but even I'm scared of him. Seriously. I'm sure drumming will help his anger.
The rest of my morning there was fine, as was taking mum shopping. She's still a concern, but it feels controlled for now.
The college was great this afternoon, both the private lesson and drum club, everyone buying into these new ideas of mine. I just need a few more ideas like this or else it could fall flat, but I like it there - I have friends there, I feel very accepted.
Evening had one lesson cancelled due to illness, but first lesson with yet another new student was a total, over-enthusiastic joy.
Home, A is still not too well but the operation is tomorrow.
Discussed feature film stuff with Jonny (the HG movie is getting closer to production), tour dates with various Ireland producers and also my new 1979 play with Sam, who I think would fit the lead role perfectly. Barely know her, but she plays the smaller role in the podcast sitcom perfectly and Alan H thinks she'd be a good fit.
Still need more band stuff.
The rest of my morning there was fine, as was taking mum shopping. She's still a concern, but it feels controlled for now.
The college was great this afternoon, both the private lesson and drum club, everyone buying into these new ideas of mine. I just need a few more ideas like this or else it could fall flat, but I like it there - I have friends there, I feel very accepted.
Evening had one lesson cancelled due to illness, but first lesson with yet another new student was a total, over-enthusiastic joy.
Home, A is still not too well but the operation is tomorrow.
Discussed feature film stuff with Jonny (the HG movie is getting closer to production), tour dates with various Ireland producers and also my new 1979 play with Sam, who I think would fit the lead role perfectly. Barely know her, but she plays the smaller role in the podcast sitcom perfectly and Alan H thinks she'd be a good fit.
Still need more band stuff.
Tuesday 14th January 2020
I need more band stuff. It feels weird saying that, considering how busy I am, but Greg only needs me for the bigger festival shows (financially it works better for him if he performs as a duo for the other stuff), WAS only need me for gigs when they need a drummer (one or two huge shows a year, as much as I'm in daily contact with the musical director about ideas) and FH don't have too much in the diary and it feels like we're drifting a bit. I have ideas, and people who I'd like to share those ideas with.
14 students in a row at my favourite school, all with sugared-up enthusiasm so it both flew by yet felt tiring at the same time. Teaching there is like being at the top of a rollercoaster for 4 hours, it's an intense place but I've probably manufactured a lot of that myself with my energy drink aided lessons.
Three private lessons followed (first one: brilliant, second one: intense, third one: kid is in his own bubble but we've found some middle ground).
Straight over to podcast sitcom recording. Liz, Samantha, Kate, Warren, Alan, Rory and other Alan are just such a wonderful team to be working with, a proper ensemble, the sort of group I've been trying to put together for years. We recorded episode 4 tonight and it was an absolute treat; best thing I've ever written, performed by such a talented bunch of people (with top director).
Home, A is ill - she has her operation this week to fix her sinus issues. It's needed. Snot and blood everywhere. Slept in the spare room which confused the cats.
14 students in a row at my favourite school, all with sugared-up enthusiasm so it both flew by yet felt tiring at the same time. Teaching there is like being at the top of a rollercoaster for 4 hours, it's an intense place but I've probably manufactured a lot of that myself with my energy drink aided lessons.
Three private lessons followed (first one: brilliant, second one: intense, third one: kid is in his own bubble but we've found some middle ground).
Straight over to podcast sitcom recording. Liz, Samantha, Kate, Warren, Alan, Rory and other Alan are just such a wonderful team to be working with, a proper ensemble, the sort of group I've been trying to put together for years. We recorded episode 4 tonight and it was an absolute treat; best thing I've ever written, performed by such a talented bunch of people (with top director).
Home, A is ill - she has her operation this week to fix her sinus issues. It's needed. Snot and blood everywhere. Slept in the spare room which confused the cats.
Monday 13th January 2020
And back to the excessive teaching after what feels like a slow start. At my 'new' school in the morning and I feel totally, totally accepted there now, the school concert (and the kids performing brilliantly) obviously did me a lot of favours.
Five private lessons followed (first one: technically brilliant but exhausting, second one: great fun, third one: better than normal, fourth one: flew by, fifth one: kid missed drumming so much and it was great to see how much he put into it).
Home, beer and then writing.
Five private lessons followed (first one: technically brilliant but exhausting, second one: great fun, third one: better than normal, fourth one: flew by, fifth one: kid missed drumming so much and it was great to see how much he put into it).
Home, beer and then writing.
Sunday 12th January 2020
I'm back to 'inbox zero' which, considering the amount of tour emails I'm currently dealing with is just a miracle.
Another miracle is how quickly Alan M edited that radio play we did yesterday, so that's all uploaded now.
A lazy day of lesson planning and notes for new shows, in-between two private lessons (first one: student was barely awake, second one: awesome).
Everything's in shape, but next week looks frantic.
Another miracle is how quickly Alan M edited that radio play we did yesterday, so that's all uploaded now.
A lazy day of lesson planning and notes for new shows, in-between two private lessons (first one: student was barely awake, second one: awesome).
Everything's in shape, but next week looks frantic.
Sunday, 12 January 2020
Saturday 11th January 2020
And, finally, back into the swing of things properly. Three private lessons this morning, all worked really well - these new teaching ideas I developed over the festive break seemed to be working, but more importantly, the students seemed to have missed drumming over these three weeks. Everyone was very enthusiastic and it was just three hours of fun. Can't believe I get paid for this.
Home, quick spot of lunch and then Liz and Alan came over. 3 hours to record a six-minute piece, but it really, really worked and we had a lovely time. Will submit it as soon as the edit comes in.
Evening spent with A trying to teach me to cook. I'm a tough student.
Home, quick spot of lunch and then Liz and Alan came over. 3 hours to record a six-minute piece, but it really, really worked and we had a lovely time. Will submit it as soon as the edit comes in.
Evening spent with A trying to teach me to cook. I'm a tough student.
Friday 10th January 2020
With my Friday schools not needing me back until next week, this was my final 'slow' day before things get crazy again. I'm being pushed a little by a BBC contact to submit something for a new scheme, even if it's an older piece, so last night messaged Liz (former Blue Peter host) and Alan to see if they're about this weekend, which they are, so spent a chunk of the day rewriting this old play for the radio.
That, alongside planning next week's lessons and various bits of admin took up the day, a nice mix of creativity and business stuff.
Taught my one private lesson for the day, which was glorious, then got the train into town for V's yearly birthday piss-up. As always, good fun was had, that I'll regret in the morning.
That, alongside planning next week's lessons and various bits of admin took up the day, a nice mix of creativity and business stuff.
Taught my one private lesson for the day, which was glorious, then got the train into town for V's yearly birthday piss-up. As always, good fun was had, that I'll regret in the morning.
Friday, 10 January 2020
Thursday 9th January 2020
Back at the school I struggle with a bit. Wasn't so bad today, I mean, still absolute total chaos, but the kids were at least drumming today. One kid wiped my drum sticks on his (clothed, obviously) arse and said "these are my sticks now." This is what I have to deal with every week there.
Then over to the other school, where everyone is lovely.
Drove to the middle of nowhere for one of my regular students, to see the parents had forgotten and the kid was expecting the lesson next week instead. Drove home, angry. An hour round trip for that.
Next private lesson was glorious, amazing kid who has now got a kit of his own and is totally going to be a brilliant drummer.
Evening rehearsed with Greg and house band ahead of the launch of our new night next month. Fun session with good musicians, easy stuff.
On the way out of the industrial estate where the studio is, I heard a man shout "Oi! You" as I drove by. I slowed down and could see in my wing mirror that I had clearly splashed him with a lot of mud. I nearly got out to apologise but...well, he was HUGE and VERY angry, so it felt best to just drive off instead, apologising from a distance.
I'd like 2020 to have less of these situations, please.
Then over to the other school, where everyone is lovely.
Drove to the middle of nowhere for one of my regular students, to see the parents had forgotten and the kid was expecting the lesson next week instead. Drove home, angry. An hour round trip for that.
Next private lesson was glorious, amazing kid who has now got a kit of his own and is totally going to be a brilliant drummer.
Evening rehearsed with Greg and house band ahead of the launch of our new night next month. Fun session with good musicians, easy stuff.
On the way out of the industrial estate where the studio is, I heard a man shout "Oi! You" as I drove by. I slowed down and could see in my wing mirror that I had clearly splashed him with a lot of mud. I nearly got out to apologise but...well, he was HUGE and VERY angry, so it felt best to just drive off instead, apologising from a distance.
I'd like 2020 to have less of these situations, please.
Wednesday 8th January 2020
...and back into the routine. Well, partially, at least, as my morning school doesn't need back until next week, but took Mum shopping and in the hours spent in various car parks caught up on all teaching admin. So many schools, so many kids. Have written some more games, have tightened up my rudiments chart and I think these lessons are planned nicely taking us up to the February break.
Then off to the college, amazing private lesson there - everything I had planned earlier was trialled for the first time and it all works, which gives me confidence for the rest of the term. Then nobody turned up to drum club, but I still get paid either way so just spent the time playing on the kit and getting back into the swing of being a drummer again.
Two private lessons followed, both fun, both good students.
Home, both A and myself are already tired zombies and the year has barely begun.
Then off to the college, amazing private lesson there - everything I had planned earlier was trialled for the first time and it all works, which gives me confidence for the rest of the term. Then nobody turned up to drum club, but I still get paid either way so just spent the time playing on the kit and getting back into the swing of being a drummer again.
Two private lessons followed, both fun, both good students.
Home, both A and myself are already tired zombies and the year has barely begun.
Tuesday 7th January 2020
Everything is in place for a good year (apart from, you know, climate change and world slowly falling apart, etc).
Up early, wrote for a bit, press releases went out for the London show, wrote some more.
In the evening, popped down to London for more recording of the radio sitcom at Broadcasting House. Always a buzz being there, great actors (especially the new guy that has been brought in, he's amazing) and well directed, plus a nice social in the BBC club afterwards.
Home by midnight, all in all a lovely day.
Up early, wrote for a bit, press releases went out for the London show, wrote some more.
In the evening, popped down to London for more recording of the radio sitcom at Broadcasting House. Always a buzz being there, great actors (especially the new guy that has been brought in, he's amazing) and well directed, plus a nice social in the BBC club afterwards.
Home by midnight, all in all a lovely day.
Monday 6th January 2020
Kind of feel guilty that everyone else seems to be back to work today after Christmas, but I'm not needed for a few more days. Then I looked at my schedule for the rest of the year and realised that things are about to get mega busy again so I should just enjoy this break. There's something about being a freelancer that makes you feel guilty when you're not working 24 hours a day...
Productive day, all the same. Actually paid my tax bill (having done my return last year but forgot about the money side of things), tidied the house from top to bottom, turned down three new students, signed my contract for the Bristol run, did all the usual risk assessment stuff for that show, plugged the London run intensively and suddenly the day was over...when A came home there was something strange in my behaviour - I was basically like an excitable puppy who hadn't had human contact all day.
Productive day, all the same. Actually paid my tax bill (having done my return last year but forgot about the money side of things), tidied the house from top to bottom, turned down three new students, signed my contract for the Bristol run, did all the usual risk assessment stuff for that show, plugged the London run intensively and suddenly the day was over...when A came home there was something strange in my behaviour - I was basically like an excitable puppy who hadn't had human contact all day.
Sunday, 5 January 2020
Sunday 5th January 2020
Hungover, but awoken early by the cat bringing me in a 'present'. I was annoyed, but she looked so proud and it was difficult to tell her off for it.
Finished the script! Hurrah! 10 hours of solid writing. Not sure if it's up to scratch, yet, but it's a complete thing at least. Will give it two weeks without looking at it, and come back to read it with fresh eyes. Quietly optimistic, though.
Finished the script! Hurrah! 10 hours of solid writing. Not sure if it's up to scratch, yet, but it's a complete thing at least. Will give it two weeks without looking at it, and come back to read it with fresh eyes. Quietly optimistic, though.
Saturday 4th January 2020
Huge fry-up at Andy's, and we then set off into town. I need to buy some new shoes and there's nothing A likes more than shoe shopping, so she had a lovely time and I just moaned about how expensive everything was before buying some I liked.
Home, cat naps, and then writing solidly for 5 hours. It's nearly there.
In the evening, as A was out with her friends, I met up with some of mine - Phill, Alan, Jamie, Audrey, Paul M, Vix and Adam for drinks in town. Another fun one, but another late one. How do I still have a liver? No more drinking when I get back to work, I'm technically still on holiday, yeah?
Home, cat naps, and then writing solidly for 5 hours. It's nearly there.
In the evening, as A was out with her friends, I met up with some of mine - Phill, Alan, Jamie, Audrey, Paul M, Vix and Adam for drinks in town. Another fun one, but another late one. How do I still have a liver? No more drinking when I get back to work, I'm technically still on holiday, yeah?
Friday 3rd January 2020
Still feel guilty about Matt's helicopter last night. I know it's only a toy but he looked so distraught about it, and kept saying, "Well, it was fun while I had it, I guess."
Long, very successful day of writing - just locking myself away and ploughing through it seems to be the way to go. This script for Emma is in really good shape now.
7 hours later I gave myself a break, and then we went to Andy and Amy's for a cracking dinner, a lovely evening full of food, booze and games. It was a late one, but it's so rare we get a chance to catch up.
Long, very successful day of writing - just locking myself away and ploughing through it seems to be the way to go. This script for Emma is in really good shape now.
7 hours later I gave myself a break, and then we went to Andy and Amy's for a cracking dinner, a lovely evening full of food, booze and games. It was a late one, but it's so rare we get a chance to catch up.
Thursday 2nd January 2020
Keen to get everything written that I planned to over Christmas before all the teaching begins again so locked myself in the office today to get everything done.
Episodes 7 and 8 of the band sitcom are now all done and looking tasty, so now back to the script that I'd promised Emma about 2 years ago (and again this summer when we met up for a pint in Edinburgh). She has quite a distinctive voice, but is also really expressive so it's good to have all of this in mind, but it's a show that's been driving me made since May when I started on it. I finally have a clear view of what it's trying to say, what the point of it is and why it's a show in the first place, so good progress was made today.
In the evening, we went to Matt and Pascal's for a lovely dinner. Matt (early 30s) has this brilliant toy helicopter thing which clearly helps him relax. He let me have a go on it outside and within seconds I lost control, crashed it into a tree and broke it. Honestly. Have paid for a new one and apologised to his neighbours, who owned the tree.
Also applied for the fringe, knowing that I can still do week 3 because we'll be back from the honeymoon in time. It makes for a frantic summer, and hardly the most romantic start to married life (me being away) but she knows what's she's taken on.
Episodes 7 and 8 of the band sitcom are now all done and looking tasty, so now back to the script that I'd promised Emma about 2 years ago (and again this summer when we met up for a pint in Edinburgh). She has quite a distinctive voice, but is also really expressive so it's good to have all of this in mind, but it's a show that's been driving me made since May when I started on it. I finally have a clear view of what it's trying to say, what the point of it is and why it's a show in the first place, so good progress was made today.
In the evening, we went to Matt and Pascal's for a lovely dinner. Matt (early 30s) has this brilliant toy helicopter thing which clearly helps him relax. He let me have a go on it outside and within seconds I lost control, crashed it into a tree and broke it. Honestly. Have paid for a new one and apologised to his neighbours, who owned the tree.
Also applied for the fringe, knowing that I can still do week 3 because we'll be back from the honeymoon in time. It makes for a frantic summer, and hardly the most romantic start to married life (me being away) but she knows what's she's taken on.
Wednesday 1st January 2020
New year! Lots to be achieved this year. Alas, I didn't get up till midday and spent most of the day moping around with a hangover.
We eventually sobered up enough to go and catch up with V and A, meeting their new puppies and having generally a lovely time.
Big food shop (I'm turning domesticated and mostly fine with it) and then we literally spent the rest of the day on the sofa, moaning about how hungover we feel.
We eventually sobered up enough to go and catch up with V and A, meeting their new puppies and having generally a lovely time.
Big food shop (I'm turning domesticated and mostly fine with it) and then we literally spent the rest of the day on the sofa, moaning about how hungover we feel.
Wednesday, 1 January 2020
Thursday 26th - Tuesday 31st December 2019
The awkward gap between Christmas and New Year. I've had enough rest and I want to crack on with things.
A has been brilliant; she popped over to my mum's on Boxing Day and we played a quiz, which was good fun. She also made me have a 'sofa bed' day on the Friday, in which I had to relax for 12 hours. We did, but as soon as those 12 hours were up, I was writing...
Taught one cheeky drum lesson because I can't help myself (jazz drummer, was good fun), had beers on various days with Matt, Izzy and Phill, whilst NYE spent with A, having a fancy meal and wedding planning. Wrote the remaining episodes of the band podcast sitcom, taking us up to 8 episodes now, I've put a lot of effort into those and we record next month. Update my website and tidied everything up, got my schedule onto my phone, all gigs in there with just 2 clashes. Set up a page for our new theatre company.
Everything is in place for a decent stab at 2020, I feel more in control than ever. Basically, don't fuck it up, Richards.
A has been brilliant; she popped over to my mum's on Boxing Day and we played a quiz, which was good fun. She also made me have a 'sofa bed' day on the Friday, in which I had to relax for 12 hours. We did, but as soon as those 12 hours were up, I was writing...
Taught one cheeky drum lesson because I can't help myself (jazz drummer, was good fun), had beers on various days with Matt, Izzy and Phill, whilst NYE spent with A, having a fancy meal and wedding planning. Wrote the remaining episodes of the band podcast sitcom, taking us up to 8 episodes now, I've put a lot of effort into those and we record next month. Update my website and tidied everything up, got my schedule onto my phone, all gigs in there with just 2 clashes. Set up a page for our new theatre company.
Everything is in place for a decent stab at 2020, I feel more in control than ever. Basically, don't fuck it up, Richards.
Wednesday 25th December 2019
Next Christmas, A and myself will be hosting for the first time as a married couple. Today was the last year in the old, if still recent, tradition, since Dad's passing: mum, sister and me, getting through it. Lots of nice presents, over-excited dog, a few arguments, a few beers. It never quite feels like Christmas anymore, but we've had worse days as a family.
Tuesday 24th December 2019
Christmas Eve! I still love this day, I probably prefer it to Christmas Day because it's the anticipation of Christmas that's special, not the day itself.
As per tradition, presents arrived just in time, so I sat wrapping them whilst watching festive TV and generally feeling great about everything.
We popped out to Tesco and spent the charity donations on treats for the NHS staff and then dropped it off at the hospital...they were so thrilled (and baffled) that we'd made such an effort. A heart-warming moment, honestly wonderful.
Then off to A's parents for traditional Christmas dinner, which was easier than last year now I understand the format.
Then over to my mum's to get attacked by the dog for the rest of the evening. Merry Christmas!
As per tradition, presents arrived just in time, so I sat wrapping them whilst watching festive TV and generally feeling great about everything.
We popped out to Tesco and spent the charity donations on treats for the NHS staff and then dropped it off at the hospital...they were so thrilled (and baffled) that we'd made such an effort. A heart-warming moment, honestly wonderful.
Then off to A's parents for traditional Christmas dinner, which was easier than last year now I understand the format.
Then over to my mum's to get attacked by the dog for the rest of the evening. Merry Christmas!
Monday 23rd December 2019
Yesterday was totally exhausting...I remember the days when 12 gigs in a day was like a stroll in the park but these days it knackered me out for ages afterwards. Or maybe it was the drinking afterwards?
Either way, we achieved an amazing yesterday.
Today I replied to a bunch of emails, finally - a totally empty inbox for the first time this year!
And then moped about moaning about how tired I felt.
Either way, we achieved an amazing yesterday.
Today I replied to a bunch of emails, finally - a totally empty inbox for the first time this year!
And then moped about moaning about how tired I felt.
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