Getting quite obsessed with recording, when I really should be doing other stuff. Like earning money, and that. But the production quality of what I'm coming up with is really impressive, if I may say so myself.
Spent a bit of the day on that.
Taught a manic hour lesson with one of my regulars, and then had a script reading with Jonnie and Liz; it's a short film that Jonnie has written and it's about isolation, and can be filmed virtually, so it's great that we have this to work on. We ran it twice tonight and will film it on Monday. They're both so lovely to work with, the three of us have plenty in the diary coming up once we're allowed out.
Played some of my 'album' to A, and she was a bit blunt. I get it, I'm a drummer, a bloody good one, too, and the drumming on this project is amazing, and creative, as is the clean production. But my melodies are "about GCSE level." She's got a point, and I'm grateful that I'm not marrying a cheerleader, I'm marrying someone who will be honest with me. I just feel bad because I've spent five days on this now.
But it did open up a new idea, an idea for a drums-only, storytelling album...will start work on it as soon as I've finished this post.
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
Tuesday 28th April 2020
Recorded a drum part for a new FH track, which we'll release with a video next week, I think. This electric kit is probably the best thing I've ever bought. Not the most solid, but does the trick and for this sort of money I can't really complain.
Excited about my sitcom book, more people keep signing up for it.
Taught two lessons today, both surprisingly great, and then spent more time than I should do working on my 'album'.
Excited about my sitcom book, more people keep signing up for it.
Taught two lessons today, both surprisingly great, and then spent more time than I should do working on my 'album'.
Monday 27th April 2020
On the surface, it feels like things are bubbling away quite nicely. Was up till late again last night working on my 'album' which, in all honesty, I'd ever release - I'm just having a fun time with the creative process of it all and learning a new skill. My sitcom book is coming together nicely and I have just enough work coming in to keep the bills paid without having to touch the money I had put aside for emergencies.
Yet, I think I'm going slightly mad here. Just a bit of, well, what is it they call it, cabin fever?
I seem to be getting anxious about things, that aren't justified. For example, all of a sudden our group chat for this regular session gig I drum for went quiet and I just assumed they wanted the other drummer to take both gigs, instead. Not the case at all, people just didn't have anything to say and sure enough we were all chatting on it again a day later. I had one parent of a student who has totally drifted out of touch since the lockdown so I assumed I'd lost them (I've had contact with everyone else - ranging from 'yeah, we'll try online lessons' to 'we'll pay for normal lessons up front to keep you in business' to 'we'll wait, but we're here and will resume when this is all over...and one who is sadly unwell, so we'll see) but it turns out that parent was just struggling with having to work at home and deal with the family and drum lessons were naturally quite low down his list. We start online lessons next week with them.
Ultimately, it's like I feel the need to be anxious about something, when it's mostly not needed. Calm down, it's all actually going to be okay.
Taught three lessons today (first one: great, second one: few tech issues but fine, third one: didn't work as well as normal) and then got back to working on my book.
Yet, I think I'm going slightly mad here. Just a bit of, well, what is it they call it, cabin fever?
I seem to be getting anxious about things, that aren't justified. For example, all of a sudden our group chat for this regular session gig I drum for went quiet and I just assumed they wanted the other drummer to take both gigs, instead. Not the case at all, people just didn't have anything to say and sure enough we were all chatting on it again a day later. I had one parent of a student who has totally drifted out of touch since the lockdown so I assumed I'd lost them (I've had contact with everyone else - ranging from 'yeah, we'll try online lessons' to 'we'll pay for normal lessons up front to keep you in business' to 'we'll wait, but we're here and will resume when this is all over...and one who is sadly unwell, so we'll see) but it turns out that parent was just struggling with having to work at home and deal with the family and drum lessons were naturally quite low down his list. We start online lessons next week with them.
Ultimately, it's like I feel the need to be anxious about something, when it's mostly not needed. Calm down, it's all actually going to be okay.
Taught three lessons today (first one: great, second one: few tech issues but fine, third one: didn't work as well as normal) and then got back to working on my book.
Monday, 27 April 2020
Sunday 26th April 2020
I literally spent the whole day recording. Had one break when A made me go for a walk in the village, and I ate three meals and went to the toilet and all that stuff, but pretty much spent the whole day recording.
2am, I've nailed 12 instrumental, arty, pretentious tracks. Quietly excited.
2am, I've nailed 12 instrumental, arty, pretentious tracks. Quietly excited.
Saturday 25th April 2020
Getting seriously obsessed with this home recording malarkey. I was up till 3am recording drums and congas and weird sounds. It could be a masterpiece? I mean, nah, but still - it's a new skill I didn't have before the lockdown.
Taught a lesson (bad internet connection, all felt awkward) and then did a spot of writing some new stuff.
Then drummed, a lot more. Have decided to record a whole album this weekend, and then release it under a different name.
Taught a lesson (bad internet connection, all felt awkward) and then did a spot of writing some new stuff.
Then drummed, a lot more. Have decided to record a whole album this weekend, and then release it under a different name.
Friday 24th April 2020
This sitcom book I'm writing is in danger of taking over by my days, when I really should be focussing on teaching/earning money stuff.
Still, it's going well.
Taught three lessons today (first one: fun, second one: chaos, third one: felt like a proper lesson, where the kid actually listened and we made decent progress).
What we with me juggling 8 million different projects and her still working long hours, A and myself still barely see each other despite being on lockdown and living in the same house. Tonight we had a 'date night', which was mostly involving a takeaway, a lot of booze and bing watching the rest of Killing Eve.
Still, it's going well.
Taught three lessons today (first one: fun, second one: chaos, third one: felt like a proper lesson, where the kid actually listened and we made decent progress).
What we with me juggling 8 million different projects and her still working long hours, A and myself still barely see each other despite being on lockdown and living in the same house. Tonight we had a 'date night', which was mostly involving a takeaway, a lot of booze and bing watching the rest of Killing Eve.
Thursday, 23 April 2020
Thursday 23rd April 2020
What if this lockdown goes on for like, another year? I'm not earning enough at the moment, I just got lucky with a few students paying a lot extra and the fringe refunds. I'm fine for now, but in another 3 months or so and I might get worried.
Did my weekly trip dropping off essentials to Mum's doorstep, and then spent the rest of the day sending out questions to famous sitcom writers and performers. The first one got back to me, a genius of a writer who answered every question with such depth, it was flattering.
Long day, tied to my screen, and then fun Zoom meeting with the team behind the online gigs. We're all very positive about this after last night's debut show.
Did my weekly trip dropping off essentials to Mum's doorstep, and then spent the rest of the day sending out questions to famous sitcom writers and performers. The first one got back to me, a genius of a writer who answered every question with such depth, it was flattering.
Long day, tied to my screen, and then fun Zoom meeting with the team behind the online gigs. We're all very positive about this after last night's debut show.
Wednesday 22nd April 2020
Working on my sitcom book as I don't have that many lessons this week.
Had a few replies for it already, from those behind the classics and I got all excited. Some proper big names, actually. This book can be amazing!
Recorded a drum part for an old friend's virtual album.
Taught two lessons online, both great fun, and then watched our online gig that I record my parts for on Friday/Monday. A real success, put together by great people.
Up till 1am replying to emails about this book. This really could be something brilliant.
Had a few replies for it already, from those behind the classics and I got all excited. Some proper big names, actually. This book can be amazing!
Recorded a drum part for an old friend's virtual album.
Taught two lessons online, both great fun, and then watched our online gig that I record my parts for on Friday/Monday. A real success, put together by great people.
Up till 1am replying to emails about this book. This really could be something brilliant.
Tuesday 21st April 2020
My to-do list is outweighing my hours in the day, whilst still feeling a bit agitating having to stay in so much. I guess everyone is feeling that, though, yeah?
The video for my online gig took a while to upload, spent the morning panicking...we're talking over 10 hours here.
Drum lesson with one of my regulars was lovely. The other one was cancelled because the kid had a science test so moved to tomorrow.
Video uploaded and it was blocked by YouTube as the Taylor Swift song had copyright issues. Panicked, deleted that bit, but that buggered up my cue. Seriously!
Had to let it go as it is, apologised to the parent who's kid was in that video and launched it.
Watched a bunch of Killing Eve with my phone off and then logged back in to see our online gig had gone well, making £585 for the NHS. We're doing a lot of good, here.
The video for my online gig took a while to upload, spent the morning panicking...we're talking over 10 hours here.
Drum lesson with one of my regulars was lovely. The other one was cancelled because the kid had a science test so moved to tomorrow.
Video uploaded and it was blocked by YouTube as the Taylor Swift song had copyright issues. Panicked, deleted that bit, but that buggered up my cue. Seriously!
Had to let it go as it is, apologised to the parent who's kid was in that video and launched it.
Watched a bunch of Killing Eve with my phone off and then logged back in to see our online gig had gone well, making £585 for the NHS. We're doing a lot of good, here.
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Monday 20th April 2020
Busy morning catching up on emails, as A is back to full working hours too, so it feels like this house is very much an office block.
Drum lesson in the morning was great, followed by another where the internet struggled but it kinda worked still.
Radio appearance plugging all of my many projects and then a writing lesson, followed by another drum lesson.
This feels how my days used to be before the lockdown...it's tiring.
Recorded all of my video bits for the drum showcase, which goes out tomorrow night, and then was up till 1am editing the video together. But having a lovely time in doing so.
Drum lesson in the morning was great, followed by another where the internet struggled but it kinda worked still.
Radio appearance plugging all of my many projects and then a writing lesson, followed by another drum lesson.
This feels how my days used to be before the lockdown...it's tiring.
Recorded all of my video bits for the drum showcase, which goes out tomorrow night, and then was up till 1am editing the video together. But having a lovely time in doing so.
Sunday 19th April 2020
I mean, tomorrow looks proper busy. My first proper busy day of the lockdown. With that in mind, I decided to bugger all today apart from catch up on email, work a little on the 'secret' project and wonder why I keep getting these really terrible headaches. Possibly too much screen time? I'm usually out teaching in different places, I guess.
Finished the new play. 4 days of writing, and it's done. I'm happy. It might be really good, I can't tell yet, but at least I'm writing stuff again.
Finished the new play. 4 days of writing, and it's done. I'm happy. It might be really good, I can't tell yet, but at least I'm writing stuff again.
Saturday 18th April 2020
Really good lesson in the morning, and then nice online chat with Liz about projects.
Teaching emails filled my afternoon and then sent out the HG link to lots of people who were asking for it, but then got worried as the camera quality (and, let's be honest, the performance) wasn't great that day. A lot of these people haven't seen me for years, and I've been singing my own praises about this show, what must they think of me?
Then we discovered Killing Eve and may have watched 5 hours' worth in a row...
Teaching emails filled my afternoon and then sent out the HG link to lots of people who were asking for it, but then got worried as the camera quality (and, let's be honest, the performance) wasn't great that day. A lot of these people haven't seen me for years, and I've been singing my own praises about this show, what must they think of me?
Then we discovered Killing Eve and may have watched 5 hours' worth in a row...
Friday 17th April 2020
More story editing in the morning, these kids are writing some pretty good stuff.
A lot of my drum students are now sending over videos, so spent a bit of time making those look nice and glossy.
Taught a fun lesson in the afternoon, did a little writing and then A and myself were gonna have a date night but I had some urgent session drum work come in and was doing that till 2am. Apologies to her, and the neighbours.
Sounded great, though.
A lot of my drum students are now sending over videos, so spent a bit of time making those look nice and glossy.
Taught a fun lesson in the afternoon, did a little writing and then A and myself were gonna have a date night but I had some urgent session drum work come in and was doing that till 2am. Apologies to her, and the neighbours.
Sounded great, though.
Thursday 16th April 2020
My weekly trip dropping off essentials at Mum's house. She's quite enjoying this lockdown thing, she's sticking to the rules and we're keeping our distance, as I'm leaving kitchen roll and milk at the end of the path for her. She appreciates the effort and my car appreciate's being started.
Taught my first 'drums without drums' session and it was brilliant, I want to do more of this sort of thing. So many ideas at the moment, but when you feel like you have lots of time, the motivation drifts a bit.
Nice dinner with A and then back to writing. I'm really enjoying this new play.
Wednesday 15th April 2020
Really happy with what I wrote last night.
Venues starting to book the show for October. That still seems a bit optimistic.
Emails for teaching stuff actually starting to build up, my morning drifted by quickly.
Lovely virtual catch-up with my mate Rob, and then a frankly exhausting drum lesson with a very enthusiastic young student who kept me on my toes. Good fun, though.
Wrote for three hours, this new play is coming together.
Venues starting to book the show for October. That still seems a bit optimistic.
Emails for teaching stuff actually starting to build up, my morning drifted by quickly.
Lovely virtual catch-up with my mate Rob, and then a frankly exhausting drum lesson with a very enthusiastic young student who kept me on my toes. Good fun, though.
Wrote for three hours, this new play is coming together.
Tuesday 14th April 2020
Next week a lot of my students will be back at school, which means they'll want to start learning drums again, yeah?
Updated my list of students, and sent an enthusiastic email around about a virtual charity gig idea - it'a got them excited and, if anything, it's got a lot of them interested in playing again. It's not about the money at the moment, I don't need the work as such, I just want to know that they will still be there for whenever all of this is over.
A load of students from my writing course have sent back their short stories, which took a ridiculously long amount of time to proofread, edit and send back to them for approval before we get them published.
Taught one online lesson (was fine) and then had a lovely idea for a lovely play so started writing that.
Updated my list of students, and sent an enthusiastic email around about a virtual charity gig idea - it'a got them excited and, if anything, it's got a lot of them interested in playing again. It's not about the money at the moment, I don't need the work as such, I just want to know that they will still be there for whenever all of this is over.
A load of students from my writing course have sent back their short stories, which took a ridiculously long amount of time to proofread, edit and send back to them for approval before we get them published.
Taught one online lesson (was fine) and then had a lovely idea for a lovely play so started writing that.
Monday 13th April 2020
This is technically a bank holiday, yeah? I don't know any more, all of the days kind of feel the same and I need a bit of structure.
Had a massive lie-in, got excited by how nice my kit is sounding now it all works on my computer (seriously, this £300 electric kit now sounds like it's worth thousands). The only downside to this is that whenever I try to write, my kit is right next to my computer so I'm too tempted to just drum instead. Which I do. I lack in focus right now.
Taught one lesson, which was fine, recorded a drum demo video for that student and then tried and failed to write a masterpiece.
Filmed the HG show in the spare room, which felt even weirder the Zoom show the other night. It's tough doing a show to an empty room, usually I have at least one or two. Lines all over the place but I get the point across.
Had a massive lie-in, got excited by how nice my kit is sounding now it all works on my computer (seriously, this £300 electric kit now sounds like it's worth thousands). The only downside to this is that whenever I try to write, my kit is right next to my computer so I'm too tempted to just drum instead. Which I do. I lack in focus right now.
Taught one lesson, which was fine, recorded a drum demo video for that student and then tried and failed to write a masterpiece.
Filmed the HG show in the spare room, which felt even weirder the Zoom show the other night. It's tough doing a show to an empty room, usually I have at least one or two. Lines all over the place but I get the point across.
Monday, 13 April 2020
Sunday 12th April 2020
I'm really enjoying wearing shorts. Never thought I'd be one of those people.
Easter Sunday. A and her family are really into Easter, it's a big deal for them and she was saddened that she couldn't see them today.
We had a nice time today, I did my best to make her feel happy in these weird times. After I had my morning meeting with the WAS techie, of course, who kindly got my kit sounding amazing on Logic.
Nice, no-other-people walk, long lunch and 4-hour game of Monopoly, which I won. Again.
Fun day. Tomorrow I want to be up early and achieve big things.
Easter Sunday. A and her family are really into Easter, it's a big deal for them and she was saddened that she couldn't see them today.
We had a nice time today, I did my best to make her feel happy in these weird times. After I had my morning meeting with the WAS techie, of course, who kindly got my kit sounding amazing on Logic.
Nice, no-other-people walk, long lunch and 4-hour game of Monopoly, which I won. Again.
Fun day. Tomorrow I want to be up early and achieve big things.
Saturday 11th April 2020
Is this the peak of the COVID thing? I'm starting to get agitated now.
Taught a fun double lesson in the morning over WhatsApp, that's really starting to work out.
Tried to relax, as it's a weekend, but it's not in my nature.
Rehearsed HG, and then spent ages setting it up in the small spare room upstairs. Doing a show over Zoom is weird enough as it is, let alone having to do a play like this where I need two different camera angles - one for me running, the other for the table scene.
Against all odds, I had a brilliant, fun show tonight. It's so weird performing when you can't see, or hear the audience, but I could see the stats and all 33 of them stayed for the duration of the hour.
The feedback afterwards was fantastic, maybe this can work as an online project after all?
Taught a fun double lesson in the morning over WhatsApp, that's really starting to work out.
Tried to relax, as it's a weekend, but it's not in my nature.
Rehearsed HG, and then spent ages setting it up in the small spare room upstairs. Doing a show over Zoom is weird enough as it is, let alone having to do a play like this where I need two different camera angles - one for me running, the other for the table scene.
Against all odds, I had a brilliant, fun show tonight. It's so weird performing when you can't see, or hear the audience, but I could see the stats and all 33 of them stayed for the duration of the hour.
The feedback afterwards was fantastic, maybe this can work as an online project after all?
Friday 10th April 2020
Lazy morning (less of this sort of thing next week) and then stressful online drum lesson with one of my regulars - technology failed us today.
Helped another student set up their drum kit, virtually, and actually left the house...to panic buy an Easter egg for A.
Tried sunbathing and got bothered by the heat.
Did some life admin and made pizzas with A before settling down to watch the first virtual WAS gig, that I recorded drum parts for earlier in the week.
Helped another student set up their drum kit, virtually, and actually left the house...to panic buy an Easter egg for A.
Tried sunbathing and got bothered by the heat.
Did some life admin and made pizzas with A before settling down to watch the first virtual WAS gig, that I recorded drum parts for earlier in the week.
Thursday 9th April 2020
A really productive day. I'm in danger of turning a little slobby, losing focus, not achieving anything. Which is fine, I suppose, because I'm not a machine, but that's enough holiday time now.
Enjoying our little routine of breakfast in the garden.
Caught up on emails, tried to write, got frustrated by the shit I was producing, went back to emails.
Taught three writing lessons in a row (first one: amazing, second one: dragged a bit, third one: brilliant) and then online beers with my best man, Matt, which was great fun.
Watched the rest of Him and Her tonight. Several hours worth, but amazing - such beautiful writing.
Enjoying our little routine of breakfast in the garden.
Caught up on emails, tried to write, got frustrated by the shit I was producing, went back to emails.
Taught three writing lessons in a row (first one: amazing, second one: dragged a bit, third one: brilliant) and then online beers with my best man, Matt, which was great fun.
Watched the rest of Him and Her tonight. Several hours worth, but amazing - such beautiful writing.
Thursday, 9 April 2020
Wednesday 8th April 2020
This was my first proper 'ugh, this really sucks day' today, mostly because I only had one lesson in the diary. Was supposed to be two but one of the students forgot.
Tried to write, got grumpy because nothing was really clicking, plodded around the garden and then went for a (totally safe) walk around the village.
The lesson, the first one to really work on Zoom, was lovely and I got all excited again. I then got an email from another student keen to have regular lessons, even though they'd previously felt it wouldn't work.
I'm fine, I just need stuff to do, all of the time, or else I feel agitated.
We watched 9 episodes of Him n Her tonight. And rightly so, it's awesome.
Tried to write, got grumpy because nothing was really clicking, plodded around the garden and then went for a (totally safe) walk around the village.
The lesson, the first one to really work on Zoom, was lovely and I got all excited again. I then got an email from another student keen to have regular lessons, even though they'd previously felt it wouldn't work.
I'm fine, I just need stuff to do, all of the time, or else I feel agitated.
We watched 9 episodes of Him n Her tonight. And rightly so, it's awesome.
Wednesday, 8 April 2020
Tuesday 7th April 2020
Spent the morning agonising over last night's recording, only to get a message from the producer telling me that I'd 'nailed it' and she was very happy.
That's a relief, then. More next week. It's a paid gig, but never thought I'd do pay drumming gigs on an electric kit from the conservatory.
Nice virtual meeting with Saturday's venue, where I'm performing HG online, and then a decent drum lesson on WhatsApp.
A little break, and then another online session (was fine) before I beat A at Monopoly again and she got stroppy.
That's a relief, then. More next week. It's a paid gig, but never thought I'd do pay drumming gigs on an electric kit from the conservatory.
Nice virtual meeting with Saturday's venue, where I'm performing HG online, and then a decent drum lesson on WhatsApp.
A little break, and then another online session (was fine) before I beat A at Monopoly again and she got stroppy.
Monday 6th April 2020
Probably my first really busy day of the lockdown. Up early, taught the writing course to one of my regular drum students, replied to a bunch of emails, taught the course again to another student and then taught a drum lesson.
Everything seemed to work really well today, the writing course is easy to teach and it is a proven formula that seems to be working really well. The drum lesson worked well because we did it on WhatsApp rather than Zoom - as a result we didn't lose any audio. Annoying having to do it on a phone but it seems to be working better that way.
I then got sent the tracks for the choir recording project...got sent guide vocals/piano/click at 7.30pm, 12 songs, deadline of 9am tomorrow. For a man who's struggling with recording technology, this was quite some task but somehow, thanks to having two computers, the electric kit, a bit of luck and very tolerant neighbours, the whole thing was done by 11pm.
Everything seemed to work really well today, the writing course is easy to teach and it is a proven formula that seems to be working really well. The drum lesson worked well because we did it on WhatsApp rather than Zoom - as a result we didn't lose any audio. Annoying having to do it on a phone but it seems to be working better that way.
I then got sent the tracks for the choir recording project...got sent guide vocals/piano/click at 7.30pm, 12 songs, deadline of 9am tomorrow. For a man who's struggling with recording technology, this was quite some task but somehow, thanks to having two computers, the electric kit, a bit of luck and very tolerant neighbours, the whole thing was done by 11pm.
Sunday, 5 April 2020
Sunday 5th April 2020
A Sunday but, you could argue, every day feels like a Sunday.
Drummed a lot today, about 4 hours' worth. And tidied the spare room. And sat in the garden for a bit 'relaxing' like normal people do. Although I'm struggling to relax.
Drove to Milton and safely picked up a cable from Matty for my drums (keeping our distance, obviously) but it didn't work. I reckon it's a problem with my computer, as it works fine on A's. I'll record my drum parts on that tomorrow.
Plenty of work coming in for next week, which is nice. And needed.
Drummed a lot today, about 4 hours' worth. And tidied the spare room. And sat in the garden for a bit 'relaxing' like normal people do. Although I'm struggling to relax.
Drove to Milton and safely picked up a cable from Matty for my drums (keeping our distance, obviously) but it didn't work. I reckon it's a problem with my computer, as it works fine on A's. I'll record my drum parts on that tomorrow.
Plenty of work coming in for next week, which is nice. And needed.
Saturday 4th April 2020
Spent the morning worried, deeply worried, that Mum wasn't answering her phone. Then she did and I felt silly. But such is the time that we're in. THESE ARE FUCKING WEIRD TIMES.
Got frustrated by technology today. Tried to teach a drum lesson in the morning but the delay and sound issues made it near impossible, so we ended it after 20 minutes. We'll try again next week.
Then spent a majority of the afternoon trying to connect my electric kit to my computer, although, often, the software didn't recognise it. Eventually got it to to work, but the bass drum squeaks like an angry duck and is laughably bad. Hour-long video chat with Matty, our techy for this new project, but we couldn't find a solution. The recording starts on Monday...
Evening played Monopoly with A and it was honestly one of the best things ever. So tense! Both of us totally in the game for a long time, a real test of nerve, was actually thrilling. And I won, which was nice.
Got frustrated by technology today. Tried to teach a drum lesson in the morning but the delay and sound issues made it near impossible, so we ended it after 20 minutes. We'll try again next week.
Then spent a majority of the afternoon trying to connect my electric kit to my computer, although, often, the software didn't recognise it. Eventually got it to to work, but the bass drum squeaks like an angry duck and is laughably bad. Hour-long video chat with Matty, our techy for this new project, but we couldn't find a solution. The recording starts on Monday...
Evening played Monopoly with A and it was honestly one of the best things ever. So tense! Both of us totally in the game for a long time, a real test of nerve, was actually thrilling. And I won, which was nice.
Friday 3rd April 2020
Made a list of all of the things I want to achieve during this lockdown, alongside the 8-12 hours of work I need to keep ticking over (which I seem to mostly have).
- 1 film, non-fiction (done)
- 1 novel
- 1 collection of short stories
- 1 book, non-fiction (done)
- 2 plays for other people
- 1 new play/show for myself
I've got a very clear idea about what I want all of these things to be, but ironically most of the day was spent working out this list. It can all be done, yeah?
Nice long Zoom chat with Izzy, a few hours drumming, a couple hours replying to teaching emails and suddenly the day was done.
I need to do more. Or just get through that list.
- 1 film, non-fiction (done)
- 1 novel
- 1 collection of short stories
- 1 book, non-fiction (done)
- 2 plays for other people
- 1 new play/show for myself
I've got a very clear idea about what I want all of these things to be, but ironically most of the day was spent working out this list. It can all be done, yeah?
Nice long Zoom chat with Izzy, a few hours drumming, a couple hours replying to teaching emails and suddenly the day was done.
I need to do more. Or just get through that list.
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Thursday 2nd April 2020
At least I'm getting a full refund from my fringe venue, and for the programme entry. That's a few quid coming back in.
Took Mum her weekly supplies (stuff she can't carry back from the shops herself with a pyscho dog), dumping 9 bog rolls, a load of kitchen roll and some treats on her doorstep, before a well-distanced 10-minute chat from opposite ends of the garden path. She's okay, but she's a concern - I just don't think she's still taking this seriously.
My car engine is SO loud. I'm sure it's fine. Barely have to drive it these days, anyway.
My electric kit arrived. Spent an hour setting it up, then having a quick play of it - the snare, hi-hat, bass and crash sound great. The ride is overpowering and the toms are so quiet. But it's fine, it was £300, you get what you pay for and it'll get me through.
Turns out that, even though it was silent in the room (playing to my headphones), the vibrations of the bass drum were coming through the ceiling, annoying A when she was in the lounge. Not a happy way to be in these tense times of being on top of each other anyway, so we stripped out the conservatory and I re-built the kit and my office space in there. Two hours later and it's pretty awesome, very happy to work there for the next few months, or however long this takes.
Then drummed for two hours, to Joe Jackson albums, just because I can.
Did a bit of teaching admin and entered discussions with a publisher about my 2018 play in the evening. A few things still ticking over as the whole world descends around us.
Took Mum her weekly supplies (stuff she can't carry back from the shops herself with a pyscho dog), dumping 9 bog rolls, a load of kitchen roll and some treats on her doorstep, before a well-distanced 10-minute chat from opposite ends of the garden path. She's okay, but she's a concern - I just don't think she's still taking this seriously.
My car engine is SO loud. I'm sure it's fine. Barely have to drive it these days, anyway.
My electric kit arrived. Spent an hour setting it up, then having a quick play of it - the snare, hi-hat, bass and crash sound great. The ride is overpowering and the toms are so quiet. But it's fine, it was £300, you get what you pay for and it'll get me through.
Turns out that, even though it was silent in the room (playing to my headphones), the vibrations of the bass drum were coming through the ceiling, annoying A when she was in the lounge. Not a happy way to be in these tense times of being on top of each other anyway, so we stripped out the conservatory and I re-built the kit and my office space in there. Two hours later and it's pretty awesome, very happy to work there for the next few months, or however long this takes.
Then drummed for two hours, to Joe Jackson albums, just because I can.
Did a bit of teaching admin and entered discussions with a publisher about my 2018 play in the evening. A few things still ticking over as the whole world descends around us.
Wednesday 1st April 2020
I mean, the only lesson (a writing course) I had in the diary for today was postponed as the student couldn't understand Zoom, so we'll try again on Monday morning, giving the mum a few days to work it out.
But...there is plenty of work in the pipeline. I'm excited by a remote session drumming gig that has come in out of the blue, it's a couple hours' work a week but really fun stuff - plus it'll be great to have to learn a whole new hour of songs every week. Basically, I'll have to record my parts (to a click and backing track) mid-week, as will the bassist and guitarist, send it back to the audio engineer who will make it all glossy. On Fridays, a choir will sing all over it, and we get paid as the gig is streamed to a paying audience. Modern times, eh? I'm very grateful that I'm the drummer they chose for this, I mean, they know me well and I've worked with them before, but it's still nice, yeah?
Spent a majority of the day replying to emails, scheduling in bits and bobs of teaching work and I also made a spreadsheet of ALL of my students, complete with my status with them (in three categories: online lessons / on hold but will come back when we're allowed / probably gonna lose them). There's only two in the latter section, out of 80-odd, but annoyingly most of them are in the middle.
That took longer than it needed to.
Lovely video chat with the band, good fun, nice people, a lovely hour of nonsense.
Evening, A cooked us a lovely meal (as she does every night, I think she's loving being the housewife) and we watched the Inbetweeners movie, which is light fun, yeah? We got drunk. I think we're both drinking too much at the moment. But then again, everyone is, I imagine.
But...there is plenty of work in the pipeline. I'm excited by a remote session drumming gig that has come in out of the blue, it's a couple hours' work a week but really fun stuff - plus it'll be great to have to learn a whole new hour of songs every week. Basically, I'll have to record my parts (to a click and backing track) mid-week, as will the bassist and guitarist, send it back to the audio engineer who will make it all glossy. On Fridays, a choir will sing all over it, and we get paid as the gig is streamed to a paying audience. Modern times, eh? I'm very grateful that I'm the drummer they chose for this, I mean, they know me well and I've worked with them before, but it's still nice, yeah?
Spent a majority of the day replying to emails, scheduling in bits and bobs of teaching work and I also made a spreadsheet of ALL of my students, complete with my status with them (in three categories: online lessons / on hold but will come back when we're allowed / probably gonna lose them). There's only two in the latter section, out of 80-odd, but annoyingly most of them are in the middle.
That took longer than it needed to.
Lovely video chat with the band, good fun, nice people, a lovely hour of nonsense.
Evening, A cooked us a lovely meal (as she does every night, I think she's loving being the housewife) and we watched the Inbetweeners movie, which is light fun, yeah? We got drunk. I think we're both drinking too much at the moment. But then again, everyone is, I imagine.
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