under another sun

Simply got out of bed the wrong way. Up early and decorating. Feeling irritable. A couple of days ago Lorraine opened a small box in the study, which was something to do with the phone and wifi. Since then the wifi patchy. Agreed a small freelance job for Mes Amis in Paris to start tomorrow.  In the evening, Lorraine and I went to Seaford Station where we met Adele and Patrick, having found out over the weekend that they were going to see Rick Wakeman too.  A quick chip based snack in Brighton, and then onto the Dome.  A funny show, Wakeman his usual jokey self. Turns out Patrick knows him too. The first half of the show, called The Return of The Caped Crusader, featured versions of Yes songs. A singer called Molly Marriot sang Jon Anderson's parts and there were a trio of supporting singers who sang backup but also a few arranged parts rather well. There was a second keyboardist, Adam Wakeman who is Rick's son, and a very accomplished keyboards player. A bit disconcertin...

Criminal minds Up early, looked at some more referencing, got down to a healthy chunk of skeleton work only undermined by the cat, who was sulking due to disappointing food options. Really getting into my Thelonious Monk CD, and thinking how jazz is able to convey sheer humour sometimes, without sounding ridiculous. Also reading about Rick Wakeman's two heart attacks when he was 25. He was drinking a fantastic amount and smoking heroically, and managing a high profile career. They made him feel numb, which he attributed to a hangover. Blimey. He seems to be okay now though. Cooked a pork curry made with various peppers, cloves, cardamoms, chili etc. this evening and Lorraine came by to help me eat it. And because Lorraine loves crime with a psychological element we watched Criminal Minds , which I'd never seen before, about some type of unsmiling but thoughtful cop and his attractive but emotionally retarded sidekicks who fly about in a plane to various parts of the States to ...

Progtastic Up with the sparrows, thanks to Calliope, and soon down to work to finish more referencing work on eye diseases. This completed in a few hours (wondering if I'd rather stick needles in my own eyes than write about doctors sticking needles in people's eyes) I hurried off to the gym for a light workout, which I have to say I enjoyed. Back to put my thoughts together for the Guernsey anthology proposal in the afternoon. Finished the day by receiving feedback on the referencing, and I need to do some more. Gah! Pop. Was very pleasantly surprised by the postman today (oo-er missus) bearing a surprise present from Carl. It was Rick Wakeman's book Grumpy Old Rock Star , which Carl had dedicated and everything. I called to thank him. He still hasn't had his gall bladder sorted out, which must be like sleeping with a snub nosed gun pressed into your side. Thinking of the Liverpool-loving Jayne and Nev later too as Liverpool were playing Chelsea in a nerve jangling sec...