March 2008

So, I realise that I'd finished my last entry with great joy, saying that the loft would be up and running soon and I'd set up my studio within a few weeks - alas NO! It was a bloody nightmare! Couldn't get all the plug-ins to work with the new fancy-nancy computer and stuff, but here I am, richer for having had the experience of trying to get it to work, of sitting for endless hours staring at a big fancy-nancy screen (all 24 inches of it!) - Eh, I don't think so! But as Marco says, 'If it doesn't kill you, it'll make you stronger'. Thanks for that M, I think I'll go in for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in that case, cos I must be REALLY strong!

Anyway, let's quickly talk about March - that month from years ago!

Almost every entry in my Diary for March reads 'paint', or 'varnish floor', but it must have worked because another entry reads 'set up shrine/loft'! Yep, La Virgen de Guadalupe has found her rightful place in the house, just outside the room that I've set my studio up in! Blissful!

Still, once all that was done, I found another entry in my diary 'paint edges'! False sense of security!

Anyway...

The gadget god had obviously taken hold because I started to think about getting a new phone...I have one now and it's shiney and gold and its called Havana something - yes, you can guess the reason I bought it right? The Cuba reference - how shallow is that? It doesn't matter that it practically makes your dinner for you; nope it was the Cuba thing got me!

Too bad there wasn't a gadget that could paint edges!

April 2008

Still, I managed to paint my way into April, because the next thing you know, I was at my big brother's wedding - the same day as Amanda's birthday!

Before the big day though, we'd managed to get some tickets to go and see Havana Rakatan - a dance show at the Kings theatre. Well, when I got there, I felt like I was sailing 3rd class on a cruise and this was the entertainment - just a wee bit tacky! At which point I said how disappointed I was that here was this dance troupe from Cuba and they didn't even have live music. Almost immediately, the back curtain opened on a ten-piece live band - it was AMAZING. I was in heaven...no matter that the dance turned into the most diverse and amazing show - nope, once again, the Cuba references keeping me happy!

Anyway, back to the wedding!

The day before, amazing niece came up from Hartlepool. You know the one that came up in January? Needless to say I was in my element. She was trying to be all shy and the likes, but nope, it took her about three minutes to turn into her usual mad mental self - thank God!

As well as the Hartlepool connection, the amazing wee Jersey princesses flew in for the wedding. Yes, it's always nice to see the parents, but it's the weans that just blow me away every time - I was in my, even warmer, element!

We started off the wedding day with a birthday breakfast; beautiful niece had chosen a cake for Amanda - you know, just Amanda's type - all pink with a fairy on the top! Hmmm, yes, just Amanda's type!

Then it was off to the wedding via our 'hotel'. Well, this was fun!

I think our digs should not have been called a hotel, but a B&B&B!

First B for Bed - in a particularly smelly room which had bed sheets with shoe prints on them! The second B for Breakfast - where there was a good breakfast, albeit served by Godzilla and her best friend. The third B is for the BEETLE that my auntie Alice had in her kettle - yes, indeed-y! Anyway, wont dwell on it, suffice to say that the Harbourside Hotel in Irvine comes with a negative rating! (check out my trip advisor review!)

The wedding on the other hand was absolutely magnificent! Great big family do which was all champagne and smiles. None bigger than mine when my nephew got up to sing a song with the band and played Fat Cigars, a CL song. I was bursting with pride.

Then, just when I thought I was going to blow, the Jersey Princesses wanted to sing along with me on 2B4 Lunch - they were joined by Caitlin and Hartlepool niece - take me now god!

Unfortunately, the Hartlepool branch of the family had to go home, but the Jerseys were here for a whole week! Sleeping upstairs in my loft! Stairway to heaven indeed!

When those guys left, we did too and went for a wee weekend break to Tain - right in the middle of the grossly overrated petrol crisis! We got there on night one and had the most amazing castle to stay in, it was going to be magic.

We were about to go downtown Tain, when I went back to the room for something. Now, when we'd checked in the lovely girl who showed us our room mentioned that our door-lock was 'funny as a guest had tried to kick the door in the previous week' - ! So, I thought I'd just check the lock and, yep, you guessed it, I managed to lock myself in the room and couldn't get the door opened. So, there I was in my room and Amanda was in reception waiting for a wild night in Tain!

Not to worry thought, I had my fancy new mobile phone which, couldn't exactly open the door all by itself, but did allow me to call down to reception!

The wee lassie who'd shown us to our room came running, but didn't have a key so she eventually had to go outside, wait for me to chuck the key out of the window and come back up to rescue me - too bad I didn't have really long hair like Rapunzel and she could just have climbed up to save me!

Anyway, we got an 'upgrade' for our trouble - which wasn't trouble at all as I'd poured myself a glass of red wine and was watching the news while waiting to be rescued - we were moved to the suite with the big four-poster bed and the Jacuzzi. What a laugh we had...but, the best was yet to come.

Downtown Tain!

We'd been to a few places, had some food and nice wine and were a little worse for wear when we decided to go into another bar which had live music blaring out. In we went, to a bright, wee, scary bar. There were a few folk, most of whom were fairly friendly - I should mention that an earlier bar had bouncers (aka security guards) outside the ladies room - anyway, I turned to talk to a guy who was standing beside me at the bar, at which point his friend - a small-pit-bull-terrier-type-woman - growled at me 'don't touch what you canny afford, and you canny afford him so don't touch him' - WOW! Time to go home, I thought!

Before we left though, small-pit-bull-terrier-type-woman got talking to Amanda, 'whur ye fae?' she growled,

'Glasgow' replied Amanda

'fit ye daen up here', more growling.

'just up for a weekend, why do you ask?'

'Ahm jist tryin' tae be friendly!'

It was at this point we decided we had all the friends we needed right now and promptly left!

The rest of the weekend was fine, pit-bull free and no more room problems. But god, what was all that fuel crisis stuff? An excuse to push up prices, was what it was! I'm amazed at all the hooha we get ourselves into! Two of my neighbours were going up north too, one to Loch Ness (to swim it!!!) and the other to a wedding in Thurso. Both of whom went and neither experienced any problems - the world's going stir crazy I fear!

Anyway, I got an email from someone who suggested that we should all boycott Shell, Esso and BP and eventually they'll have to drop their prices because they wont be selling any petrol! Go on, try it!

May 2008

And so, into May! I know last month I said I wasn't going to talk about the weather, but I can't help myself...what's it all about? Apparently, this month (May) we've only had about a third of our normal rainfall for this time of year! Once again, the world is just going mental, especially since today is like a day in October again!

So, you'll never guess what I did in May?

Uh-hu...I painted! Woodwork and edges!

All in waiting for our wee party that we were having. It was magic fun, salsa dancing, jamming, flamenco dancing, freestyle songwriting from Amanda...yep, some night which lasted well into Sunday morning. I hate to be too gushy, but I have the most amazing family and friends!

But the fact that I'm so blessed was immediately forgotten when it hit me that I had to record an album - quick style!

I managed to switch on the new machine and got this type of message as soon as I'd plugged it in -

'you are crap - step away from the machine - go to jail - do not pass go - because you are CRAP.'

Of course, I'm not a techno-phobe, not really, obviously just thick!

So, I just got the old one out - didn't want her to feel left out of it anyway - and started recording. So, at least the album is started.

Release date is 8th September 2008 with the launch taking place in the Tron Theatre on Saturday 6th September 2008 (pre-release copies are available for sale there).

Sorry about the ad there, but I'm pretty excited about it. Marco Rea's playing as well as Teenage Fanclub drummer Stuart Kidd. Of course, Greg and David will be making appearances too so, like I said, I'm pretty excited.

The Name? It will be called 'Red Wine & Age'.

Anyway, this is the end of the commercial break! Except to say that there will be a load of shows around the release dates, details of which will be posted on the site.

And, that's it, May's almost gone. Although, I gotta tell you, for the last weekend in May, I went Camping in Glencoe. It was stunning. Waking up beside that most dramatic and breathtaking view was just awesome. I can't get enough of Scotland!

The midgies though? Well, I'm only now finding bites in the most inappropriate places. How do those wee beasties get into the strangest places???

But, the most dramatic thing about the weekend was that I went camping, in the great outdoors, with no running water, no toilet nearby, with only a sleeping bag and tent - with my pal JUDY! Judy who can't go to the loo without straightening her hair! Judy who can't stand bugs and dirt and not getting washed four times a day! Judy who folds without her home comforts. It was quite a laugh and we didn't believe she'd do it, not Judy!

But she went for it - Judy, I'm proud of you, lass!

And that's May. Just getting on with the recording, trying to ignore the painting and DIY and looking forward to getting it finished and getting on the road with a band again!

Watch this space for new dates etc and I hope to see you for June's diary.

Peace and love...

Carol

Ps - only seven-more Bush months to go!