Disclaimer: I’m afraid my sense of humour has disappeared into Apple Mac cyberspace – read on at your peril!

JULY

So, the beginning of July. I had a show in London – ON THE SAME DAY AS LIVE8! Bloody typical.

David, Yvonne (his wife) and I decided we would all go down on the train. Well, it seemed fair since Amy Duncan was coming. She is playing a bit of double-bass with me on this new album.

Double bass I hear you say? Well yes, and its impossible to get it onto a plane, so the train would do. Only thing was, David had Amy’s ticket and was going to get off at Edinburgh to get her through the gate etc, etc, etc. No probs – or so we thought!!!

The guard (Jim) came by to get our tickets and we explained that we had Amy’s ticket, that she would be getting on at Edinburgh, that we were to meet her at the gate and he would recognise her cause she has a big double bass and blah, blah, blah.

‘No,’ Says Jim, ‘No on this train you’ll no meet her! Maybe you can all get off the train and go out and meet her. Then try to book you all on a later train together, but she’ll no even get into the station without a ticket. Today’s a big day you know, we’re expecting trouble and we’re prepared for it. There’s a big march and that so the station’s totally blocked off...she’ll jist no get in!’

Oh dear, thought I. I’d better call Amy and just prepare her for the worst. The police cordons and the massive security operation under way in Edinburgh. You know, I didn’t want her turning up at the station getting panicked and stuff when she was turned away by the armed guards. So, I called her. ‘Oh hi,’ says Amy ‘Yeah, I left the house way too early. I could’ve had another half hour in bed, but now I’m just sitting on the platform waiting on the train’.

She was on the bloody platform!!!

So, when Jim came past again, I explained that she got onto the platform and that everything was fine. He didn’t look too happy about it though. So much so that when he came by later in the journey, he told me that there was now a massive investigation into how she’d managed to get through the guards. Bloody hell – this guy was amazing...can you imagine taking a broken wage packet home to him?

Anyway, so, we were on the way. Amazingly.

When we got to London it was just so busy – well, as busy as it usually is. However, we were warned not to take a taxi to the gig since Leicester square was all closed off. But when we got there via the underground it was fine. Honestly, you could get really carried away on hype.

So, we got to the gig, not busy but a great venue. Also, Soho was just absolutely mobbed with people out enjoying the Pride March. Indeed, there were some sights to behold – none more so than the one where the guy was totally naked and had his clothes painted onto his body...hmm, very interesting. On the way home, the trains were absolutely mobbed, full of great spirited people who had been at the Live8 show. What I saw on telly was great, but, I have to admit, when I did get a chance to watch TV that day, I was glued to the Williams/Davenport Wimbledon final – now THAT was entertainment!

The 4th July is my Independence day – independence from university! I can’t believe it has been three years since I became really intelligent! Not only that, Caitlin became twelve years old this month too. Once again, a question I ask often - ‘how did that happen? I was only changing her nappy last week?!’

But, back to uni - Too bad I didn’t study sound engineering , because, this couple of weeks in July has seen me fighting with my Mac, trying to work the recording studio, trying to play the guitar in time and just, well, just hitting my heid off every brick wall in my house. Given that the house was built in 1849, there are lots of real brick walls, only too happy to oblige!

ALSO, my beautiful house that was built in 1849, now has white lines outside for cars to park in and ugly parking meters that cost way too much for my friends to park at. I’m sure that Alexander Kirkland didn’t see the white line thing when he designed this old crescent. However, given that none of us are able to afford to have friends to stay, maybe this is what Thatcher had in mind when she said there’s no such thing as society?!

(okay, rant over!)

So, yes, trying to work the studio set up which, by the way looks great all set up and fancy! But, I needed a couple of bits and bobs...leads, more headphones etc. So, into town on Neo who wasn’t too healthy. However, when I pulled up to park the engine cut out! Strange, I thought, however, went to get my bits and bobs and came back out only to find myself unable to start wee Neo – he was completely dead! I should never have taken him out, but it was such a wonderful day – really really hot and sunny. Finally, I managed to kick start him. I was off...well, for about 50 yards and then he died again – aw naw!

So, on that hottest of day, there I was, pushing a scooter along the River Clyde with no water, not a cloud and no toilet in sight! By the time I got home, I was bright red and dripping with sweat – a pleasant thought for all of you I’m sure!

Neo hasn’t moved since – too much to do – album, fix the scooter, work the computer – argh. Time for a day off!

And a day off I had. Off to my wee sister’s to spend the long weekend with my siblings. Only to be reminded by my eldest sib – Anthony – that I don’t update my diary often enough or on time - ! He loves me, he really does.

By the end of July, I was going stir crazy...I just couldn’t get to grips with the whole recording thing. David and Yvonne (his Mrs) came by and persuaded me to get away from my 15” screen – I’ll tell you, it was the best thing I did. I went to Greenock to listen to Iain Morrison and David Rogers play a wee outdoor show. It was great...sun & coffee and great music. I didn’t think about my computer once – except to note that recording would take me a lot longer than I had originally thought!

The good news is that I am getting closer to getting it right – well, the good news for me anyway. I am sure you are all up at night, just wondering how I’m getting on with it!!!!!!!

August will see more recording, more hitting brick walls, hopefully some more sunshine and good guitar playing…

Hopefully…

Have a good one.

Cheers

Carol