Midnight, or near enough, and I'm sitting here listening to the firework display announcing the arrival of the latest largest cruise ship in the world, The Independence of the Seas. Saw her this morning from West Quay shops, and QE2 at the Mayflower terminal. I think. Despite the job, I still get the terminals mixed up!

And when I say 'listening' I'm not of course actually listening. I mean I can hear them. I'm listening to Lou*s Gordon's debut album "Bl*nd Anorexic" for the second time and I'm right. It is VERY disappointing and almost sounds a little amateurish, especially compared with the very wonderful 'Closed, Gone Fishing'.
Last night, also while finally cracking the inspiration I need to work on the Hamble Valley map, I played this through for the first time alongside RetroF*ture, the live album I should have got months ago. It's not bad, good sound quality, but the arrangements etc sound very dated now ten years after the gig.
What really has impressed me much more than I thought it would is the live Metamat*c album 'A New k*nd of Man' which I had some reservations about. Much better than I remember the shows being, and does show the three boots I have to be rubbish in comparison.
Although they do capture the atmosphere better, but don't 'sound' too good.

Talked about this kind of thing with Mirfee in the pub on Thursday, and made some arrangements for the trip up to London next weekend to see Marc Alm*nd at Wiltons. Looking forward to that a lot as I haven't seen him since 2001 and everyone says Wiltons is perfect rather concerned to hear that he collapsed on stage though at Indigo 2 just before Christmas. So pleased he is still with us, still singing well and apparently working now on his 'last' album.

Told everyone at cell on Thursday (before I walked to the pub) about the situation at work and having chatted with JC about it too I am no less confused but more determined than ever that we should make 'the necessary arrangements' to move forward without him as much as possible.
I owe pip a hug for this too, letting me rant on earlier in the week.
It's been a MUCH better day today than I can remember the rest of the week being - helped by the sunshine which meant we have spent most of the day outside. Bikes, Swingball, bouncy balls - a bit of shopping and lots of window cleaning.
Too much DIY to do on the house - I daren't even look.

Rumours of a new group of creative writers looking to set up in the local pub next weekend. I wonder how I can find time to join them?