All in a week's work

Lots of momentous things happening lately.

First, my beautiful new niece, Elena, born in the wee small hours of Thursday morning. What a cutie. And my first niece to be born near where I live! Hooray. Once I get my act together, I'll post a photo - or two or five. Like aunties do.

In other news, I played an interesting benefit gig on Saturday as part of a fundraising push for Vicky's Water Project. It was organised by my friend Davina, who did a great job at relatively short notice. If ever I have to put on an event, I'm getting Davina on board! There were four acts (including myself with Andrew Milloy on bass), and we played downstairs at the International near Covent Garden. It was a cool little space, although I had a hairy time getting there with my keyboard. I don't recommend driving into central London of a Saturday night, unless you have SatNav and a lot of patience! SatNav is definitely now on my Christmas list.

Anyway, other acts were Dan Haythorn, Michael Pollitt and Alice McGlaughlin, all of whom were good. I particularly liked Michael's finger-picking blues. And he played a lovely version of Blackbird (one of my many favourite songs).

Looking ahead, I'm playing at the Space this Thursday in the Isle of Dogs, probably a solo set. It should be good as they have a Steinway grand piano. Luxury. I'm looking forward to that.

Tubes, trains and automobiles

It's all go here. What with the euphoria of Greenbelt, then getting back to London and lots of work and private gigs, it's all been a bit manic. I've barely had time to sit down and gather my thoughts. Still, I've been selling lots of CDs off the back of various gigs. Hooray! Must get down to checking out studios etc for my album. I've been thinking about this for a while, but being your own boss, sometimes it's difficult to get everything done at once! Next week, though, I'm going to check out a studio nearby, plus I've got various others to get onto in the meantime.

So as long as they can hold off another Tube strike, it'll all be OK. Whenever these strikes happen, I'm reminded of our former neighbours (from another flat) who once told us, "It's great working for the Tube, 'cos whenever we don't get what we want, we just go on strike!" How charming. They were both Tube workers. Doesn't really do much to promote their cause, does it?

I did actually escape relatively unscathed this week, although I found myself working across the other side of town from where I live on the day it started, wondering if I was ever going to get home. In the event, it turned out OK. Thank goodness for overland trains.

Now I'm off first thing tomorrow to another gig the other side of the country (nearly!). It'll be nice, but I'm praying the traffic is kind to me. Wish me luck.