So, what was it at the end of April? Oh yes, we were getting to the election - it seems so long ago and so futile, so I'm just not going to talk about it - MUCH!

Actually, I'm not going to talk about it. Its done and nothing changes, there's no surprises there I guess. But I look forward to some bright new young invention coming into the political forum that makes people actually listen. And, that goes all the way from central government to local government. Now, in their wisdom, Glasgow City Council are going to charge me for the privilege of parking OUTSIDE MY OWN HOME!


MAY

Much of may was taken up by this. All the neighbours were meeting up and writing letters and meeting councillors and writing to MPs and stuff. Needless to say, all the questions I asked were ignored - like, why do we have to pay for a permit and not get a dedicated resident's parking spot. Or why, if you have to pay in instalments are you charged £160 instead of £150 - so much for the council's social inclusion policy. You know, I think I would even prefer if the Glasgow City Council was run by Tories - that's quite something for me to say...in fact, I might come back and scrub that by the end of this entry.

Also in May, I played a show in Falkirk with the amazing Michael Marra. A great wee guy and a great wee night. David and I are really working on the songs for the album, so getting to play them live is almost the best pre-production.

A big part of the pre-production is getting the studio set up, just as you like it. So, I needed a MOTU 828! No bother, isn't that why god invented eBay? Yep, not only could I get one here, but I could get one from a company that has a great feedback rating. So, do a ˜buy it now' thing and next thing you know, it should be mine - SHOULD be mine...bear in mind that this was my first eBay purchase, so I was a wee bit excited. The WWW can be an amazing thing - come to think of it, its my favourite type of shopping - sitting on my computer looking at gadgets - MAGIC.

Anyway, the thing didn't come off eBay, they kept it up for sale. But that was okay, there was only one bid so I won it...didn't I? Must've done, because eBay sent me an e-mail to say I had won it. I did win it...I know I did.

I went away to London on the last weekend of May. It was nice to get away and leave my MAC, especially since I'd been on it for two weeks solid. Mind you, it didn't seem fair that I was the only one to get a holiday, so...I took it with me! It was a nice time, sight-seeing with my wee Caitlin and having lovely long lunches and dinners with me ol' mates Sacha, Chris and their wee darling Ruby. Only problem was that Sacha was eight and a half months pregnant, London was about 500 degrees and she was having her bedroom decorated for the baby coming. Oh yeah, and four house guests, so, no pressure there eh Sacha?

In London, I did a bit of shopping. Yes, it was amazing...I looked at a laptop bag which I didn't buy and I bought some moisturiser and some wet wipes for the baby! I really know how to live eh?

One thing we did do in London which was amazing (one of the many things, including going up on the London Eye - Magic...). We went to see a Shakespeare play at the New Globe Theatre. It was brilliant. The play itself was The Tempest - one of my favourites. But more than the play and the amazing acting was standing in a replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. It was bloody fantastic. Mind you it was also the hottest day of the year so far, I think wee Caitlin was going to faint. God love her though, she gave it as much attention as she could muster. I think she enjoyed it, although, not as much as she enjoyed seeing the fake gorillas dancing in the Rainforest Cafe


JUNE

So, back home to my e-mail that said I had won the eBay bid - magic, I would just buy it and that would be fine. Except that the day after I came back, I got another e-mail from the company saying that, by mistake they had sold it to someone else -! Eh? What? How? What? I returned the mail saying that I would have no choice but to leave negative feedback and blah blah blah...Then, the next thing you know, they found one, all I had to do was pay for it and they would send it.

I gave them all my details and now, all I had to do was wait a day or two. Or Three...or more!

I should also report that I got Neo back - in superb working order. All of the electrical problems seem to have been sorted out and I am the easy rider - fantastic!

More album news is that I have started working with a singer songwriter called Amy Duncan, an Edinburgh based artist who will add another nice dimension to the album. So, its all coming together nicely...I'm getting excited. All I need's that bloody 828!

Not to worry though, they now have all my credit card details...

June was also the BIG party...my wee pal Lynne was going to be 50 years old. She looks about 35. Anyway, the party was amazing. Too much to put in here, but suffice to say there was live music, great food, too much booze, brilliant company and, of course, the obligatory tap dance from Amanda and Judy. No kidding, they both came out dressed in black, with feather boas, wearing tap shoes and dancing in perfect time to €˜Have you seen Miss Jones'. It was amazing, and of course, once the initial impact was over, then the laughter, you could see people beginning to realise that these people could actually dance. It was really brilliant. Even better, when you know that Lynne knew nothing about it - great fun.

And so, mid June and yet, no sign of the 828. I got in touch with the company who told me that my card wasn't being accepted and that I would have to do a cash transfer. Well, I did that too. Now they had my money and still I had no 828. Well, finally I got an e-mail saying that the unit would be shipped next day. It would be with me by the Monday.

Meanwhile, back at the scooter...! Wee Neo is broken again...it seems that the electrics aren't fixed at all - damn...

So, come Monday, still no 828 - but wait, they'd had my money for days and they had sent me a mail saying that it was being shipped the next day - no probs right? So I emailed them THREE TIMES that day...no answer. Then next day, after my 2nd email, I got a message back saying what a big mess this all was - the never had the 828 to sell me and blah, blah, blah...Eh? What? But you said it had been shipped! You have my money!

I wrote them a very strong and very long mail back...too long to go into here, but suffice to say, they had lied all along and, the pedant in me had kept all their e-mails and would I like a brand new fancy nancy 828 MkII for a special price of £550? So I mailed back saying how about giving me the brand new fancy nancy 828 MkII for a special price of what I already paid - about six weeks ago!!!! Finally, yes, I got it - now all I have to do is learn how to work it!!!

This is a muted version of the story of course, however just ask any of my pals, or David, my manager and they can tell you every last detail of the story! The lived through the whole thing - every last detail - at least 5 times!!!!!

So, next day I'm out on Neo, giving very exaggerated hand signals. And what do you think they are doing on the street outside of my house? Yep, painting white lines and drilling holes for parking ticket machines!!! Eh? But they haven't answered my very long letter (My forte it seems!) listing my objections to the proposed scheme. Nope, GCC in their wisdom have ignored the requests of the residents and added a further £150 to my already exorbitant poll tax - or council tax, my mum will remind me! No surprises there then! Arrogant, greedy, ignorant, unrepresentative, are all words that come to mind when thinking of this labour council - anyway, stop me right there!

Okay, phew...onto better things! Yes, I went to see my beloved Caitlin graduate from a computer course she had been taking at Rangers Football Club. So, I enter that amazing stadium - Ibrox, the one belonging to the 'other' Glasgow football team and I see it - the league cup on the table all shiney and bright that SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE TABLE ALL SHINEY AND BRIGHT AT PARKHEAD - Argh! June has not been the best month for the underdog, the scooter driver, the political beast or the car driver! Thankfully though, Caitlin performed for Scottish Ballet at the Tramway Theatre - needless to say, she was the star of the show.

Not only that, but this is her last year in primary school - how did that happen? How can she be 12 years old in July???

Anyway, last assembly at school and the P7s were giving their memories of school and Caitlin was up there narrating the whole thing and being brilliant and beautiful. And, Judy and I manage to stop crying for a minute to hear the head teacher saying that the winner of the school's Outstanding Achievement Award was none other than...Caitlin. Mair greetin'...Its hard to believe that the little girl's going and the woman is coming - that was just a song, it wasn't supposed to come true - where's that wee girl that just wanted cuddles all the time. I think there should be a rule that kids are only allowed to grow up if their God-mums allow it! Mind you, I don't mind, because as it happens, she is growing into a stunning wee person - an inspiration.

I was reminded the other day, of the countless times my mum has told me of her buying a birthday card for me and ending up in tears in the shop. What reminded me of this was me in Woolworth's getting a couple of goodies for Caitlin's birthday telling the shop assistant all about my beautiful GD and how amazing she is and leaving the shop with a tear in my eye - ! Yep, we really all do end up like our mothers!

I also went to meet Charles and Camilla at Holyrood House - not much to say there, except that it was a really hot day and I had a glass of Pimms and, having met Charles before, I was hoping to get the chance to meet Camilla. Well, I did. And, I don't know if I can be arrested for treason or anything, but she had a handshake like a wet fish! You'd think some of our 67p per head per year could go towards getting her some handshaking lessons - she must do it about 600 times a day!

I think I told you last time about the radio show I was narrating? Well, I went to the launch of it on Monday, with Big Tom Urie - an amazing talent and one hell of a nice guy - and listened to the first episode. Its pretty good listening - really funny. If you wanna listen in, its on FPR 106.6fm nightly from 5.46 - 6pm until Friday July 15th (my big brother's birthday. My big brother who made the Make Poverty History letters for the big march in Edinburgh - by the way!!!)

Sadly though, as I write this diary entry, the horror of what happened in London on Thursday continues to unfold. It is an absolute tragedy, so many, too many innocent lives are lost and too many will live with the consequences of what has happened. It is very sad and hard to come to terms with. I find myself caught between the comfort of knowing that all my friends and loved ones are safe and the absolute sadness of knowing that not everyone is as lucky as I am.

Be well, warm and safe.

Peace and love

Carol