Monday 14th October 2024

Alarm at 0815. Got up and porridged, in anticipation of a call from the GP about my ultra-sound scans last month. Dr Wills rang. He said the scans showed a small cyst on the left testicle, but that this was nothing to worry about. However, as I was still getting some discomfort on the right side, he referred me to a urologist. He said it could be a lengthy wait, though! Wet and rainy day. Sat about reading Dickens, and listening to music. Made some lunch. Took a walk up Parkhurst Road, and on to the top of the hill on Camden Road, and caught a bus into Camden. Popped into the Izipizi store, then walked over to GuitarGuitar. Tried a Crybaby wah-wah pedal...sounded OK, but thought I'd head for Denmark Street and try a Boss Dynamic Wah pedal in their shop there...didn't like it. Tried a Vox pedal in another store, but then headed back to Camden to buy the Crybaby, and a music stand. Buses were getting very busy with rush-hour commuters, so walked up Camden Road, eventually getting on a No.253 the rest of the way. Early dinner...warmed up the last of the pumpkin risotto. I headed off in the car for Stoke Newington, to attend the Tower Theatre's AGM. Managed to get parked outside the theatre. The bar was busy with people chatting and filling in the voting slips for election to the Board, and to the Management Committee. We were ushered upstairs to the theatre for the meeting...there weren't as many present as I had assumed would turn up. We were treated to a Financial Report for the year, which was pretty sound, though much of the income had been generated by bequests from several past members who had died in the last twelve months. One deceased person had pledged £150,000!!! Stephen Ley got up and up-dated us on the works, adding a storey to the rear portion of the building to provide more rehearsal space. They have had to strengthen the walls and put in several RSJs ahead of advancing the works next summer. Amanda, the AD, announced the productions planned for the summer season 2025. Not much to interest me, except perhaps "Moby Dick", which they plan to take to Minack...may be an interesting project, though I'd prefer to be involved musically rather than as an actor. Will have to quiz Colin on what his plans are...he's writing some original pieces for it. Kathleen was there, so I drove her home. She's currently working on costumes for the forthcoming production of "The Dark Room". Aki still working when I got in. watched The Ten before bath and bed.

Sunday 13th October 2024

Alarm at 0815. Got up and porridged. Aki up too, ready for Rowing Club. Nice sunny day, though there’s a chill in the air. Lugged my guitar to the car, and headed for Stoke Newington. Got there a little early again, but noticed people entering the front door, so drove round the block before parking up in front of the theatre to unload my gear. The girls had arrived on time to help unload the van for the theatre get-in. I sat about drinking coffee until we convened in the Smith Studio to work through the numbers. Matthew had managed to get hold of a more sizeable bass amp...we are going to be loud! Broke for lunch at about 1330. Sat in the bar area having my leek and apple soup before wandering out to find a drink and a bar of chocolate. Worked on until 1800...a lot to get through, matching up the scripted cues for stopping and starting the tunes. Loaded the car back up and headed for home. Aki had baked sea bass, which we ate with lentils and vegetables, and a creamy sauce with preserved lemon. Watched The Ten before bath and bed...exhausted!

Saturday 12th October 2024

Alarm at 0800. Got up and porridged...Aki slept in. Packed my musical gear into the car and heated up some soup to take in for a planned packed lunch. Drove over to Stoke Newington...hardly any traffic about, so got there a bit early. Parked up outside the theatre, hoping to carry my gear in, only to find it locked up. Can't park there for long, as it's a Red Route, so drove round the corner into Alkham Road, and wandered back toward the theatre with guitar in hand. 

Managed to get in on this occassion, and found Ruth, our director, in the Penny Tuerk Room setting up the keyboard for Adam ahead of the witches arrival. Had to go back to the car to get the amp, and bits and pieces...by the time I returned, the witches had arrived and were warming up around Adam and his keyboard. Matthew showed up, and set his bass and amp up, and we worked on a couple of numbers, The Witching Kind, and Before They Stop Me. We finished around 1200 as the cast were to rehearse some bits and pieces, and attend costume calls...so the band decided to disperse until the morrow. I lugged my amp back to the car, then drove round to the front of the theatre to load up my guitar and guitar stand, and drove home. Aki working at the computer...she had had a sizeable brunch, so I lunched alone. Went for a walk afterward, up to Crouch Hill, then down to Tesco on Stroud Green Road to get some chicken for tonight's dinner. Called in at The Park Theatre to leave a note for Gary Lilburn, who is rehearsing "Autumn" there...left my phone number, and a note saying we'd be in to watch the show next Wednesday night (opening night). No bread left at Gail's, so headed for Waitrose...it was pouring with rain by now, so I jumped on a bus outside Finsbury Park station. Aki cooked a chicken and bean stew for dinner. I made chocolate Guinness fondants for dessert. They need rather longer in the oven than the recipe recommended, but came out very well. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...

Friday 11th October 2024

Eventually got up and porridged. Sat about reading for a bit. Aki working at the computer, until I reminded her of her lunch appointment. She hurriedly changed and set off for South Kensington. I walked up to the North Library to renew my library card, then walked up the Holloway Road. Popped in to Archway Library and picked up "Free", which Aki had reserved...it being the Book Club read. I found a copy of Toni Morrison's "Beloved", which had been among the choices last night...and my preferred choice. I think it's time to hand in my resignation from the Book Club...I obviously want to read what I want to read! Walked up Highgate Hill, and sat with a latte in Gail's, reading some Dickens, before heading for home via M&S. Had myself a late lunch. Aki got home around 1630. I made a leek and apple soup, then cooked a squash risotto for dinner, with spelt instead of rice...it was pretty bland. Nowt on telly. Opted for an early bath and bed...

Thursday 10th October 2024

Aki up early to ready herself for a meeting in Camden. She cycled off before I woke around 0900. Got up and made porridge and tea, returning to my bed to eat and drink. Got up around 1015. Worked through some "Witch" numbers in the back bedroom. Aki back for lunch, having come home via the hairdresser's on Essex Road. Pottered about for the afternoon, then went for my constitutional, walking up Camden Road, then back down Parkhurst Road, before veering toward Waitrose, where I bought some provisions. Aki pan-fried some salmon for dinner, which we had with miso soup, and rice. I then made half-a-dozen berry and pear hand pies, and we walked them across to the Book Club meet at No.38. Ben and Gayu hosted, and aside from ourselves, Dulcie, Polly, Gareth, and Jane, showed up. Mixed reactions to "The Siege of Krishnapur"...Gareth his usual somewhat dismissive self, and Ben got a bit pompous about the treatment of the native Indian characters, seeming to miss the point of the satire. We chose "Free" as the next read, a memoir by an Albanian, recounting the fall of communism there in the latter part of last century...not sure I'm up for it, to be honest...I voted for Toni Morrison's "Beloved". Got home around 2200. Watched "The Ten" before bath and bed...

Wednesday 9th October 2024

Aki up early to ready herself for Rowing Club. I languished in bed until 0930. Got up and porridged. Did some exercises before retreating to the back bedroom and plugging in the electric guitar. Aki came home for lunch via Waitrose. Sat about reading and listening to music...working through The Guardian music reviews for 2024. Had my dinner early, as I had to depart for The Tower Theatre...walked it again. Got rained on a little as I was perambulating the edge of Clissold Park. The theatre bar area was crammed with school kids. I sat amongst them for a few minutes before "Witch" rehearsals started. They had all come on a double-decker bus from Grays Thurrock to see tonight's performance of "The Princess & the Hustler". I got talking to a couple of the kids, who must have been 14 or 15 year olds...the play is on their curriculum. A lot of peeps had come in to watch tonight's run of Act 2 of "Witch"...Phil was there, who is designing the set, sound operator was in, numerous stage and deputy stage managers and their assistants. We all enjoyed an entertaining run, though there are still plenty of bum cues flying about. Made my escape at 2030 and headed for home via the No.106 bus to Finsbury Park. Aki still working at the computer when I got in. Watched "The Ten" before early bath and bed...

Tuesday 8th October 2024

Aki up early to ready herself for a meeting in Camden. I got up around 1000 and made myself tea, and porridge, and went back to bed to read some Chuck D. Got up around 1100. Aki back in good time for lunch. Did my exercises. Walked round to the surgery for an initial appointment with my Get Active trainer, Michael Mahone. To my surprise, Michael was a strapping black lad with an American accent...had a good chat with him...he hails from Nashville, and met his English wife over the internet 15 years ago. He's lived in London for 10 years...nice chap, and we had a good laugh. Not sure his Get Active programme is up to much, though...he exhorted me to do me brisk walking, and that was about it. I was planning on going for a walk when I came out of the surgery, only to find it had started raining, so I headed home. Sat about reading. Aki cooked a Thai style prawn curry for dinner, with rice. Very tasty. Watched episode 3 of "Ludwig"...it was a bit of a slog. Not sure we'll make it to the end of the series at this rate!