Bit of a downer, but my VISA ain't gonna be through in time for the Houston workshop. Ironically, although it has been recommended for approval - it has to go through further processing, mostly because of when I changed my surname from my dad's to my mum's!

The band is going well. Work is going smoothly, although still more hectic than I would like. I can't wait until I'm not 140-200% utillised! (That'd be 100% on rechargable work and 40-100% more on other duties/projects). The Birchwood office should be up and running by the end of this month. And hopefully I can give Vulcan a version of their booking management software which they will be inclined to use.

Emma is busying away with art. Things seem like they are settling down. I hope by the summer this will be the case. 12 months is more than enough time to settle in to a new job and new life and new band and new office and new ambitions. Isn't it?

So I'm applying for a US Visa. Houston should be the 8th - 12th March, but that is all dependent on when I can get confirmation of acceptance of the VISA.

Work is work... the Sharjah based stuff is taking shape and slowly getting there. There is a new role that should be added to the company asap which will make all the difference in managing this product in to the future. I have a strategy (or really just an approach at the minute) for handling how my part of the group can best benefit from IT systems and processes. I've also started working to the SCRUM framework. Its almost redundant as ordinarily you need at least one team of 5-7 developers. But it at least provides a standard management structure to my current work which can be expanded in the future.

Music... need to get some writing done this week. We want to record Strange Things as a run through on the recording and editing process at the weekend.

Pssh.... lots to do... lots to do.... at least stress levels are now at a manageable level!

On day 2 I need to work my ass-off catching up on stuff and getting organised for work. So I'm using the Studio's alter-ego of being my day-job office. I may be the only person in the UK who actually went to an office today. The weather conditions are harsh. Light fluffy snow with a solid half inch of ice underneath. Lame by other countries standards, but when you're not used to this kind of thing.... it causes major havoc. The roads are like death traps. The lorries are doing their usual... drive up your ass so you can see nothing but their engine radiators. And lets not forget the courtesy of another driver taking the time to give you a dirty look because your wheels are spinning as you're pulling out of a frozen side road, only for them to slide right past the give way at the upcoming round-about... (lucky for them a lorry wasn't leaving the docks or that dirty look might have been their last!).

Anyway.... work... laters!

Snow Day Picture

I really couldn't be bothered with the work I had to do today. But never-the-less I finished it. I guess that's why I'm doing well so far. It seems to be about having faith in my abilities and pulling the finger out when it's needed. The strange thing I've noticed is that I'm struggling to work while Emma is away. I kinda thought it'd be the other way around. But while she's so far away I keep feeling down. I perk up every now and again when I hear from her, but I slowly drop in to a lul I can't get out of.

 But like I said... I got it done, and I'll be working with a group of people down south for the next 3 days which should help the time pass. I've had a few moments of musical inspiration over the past few nights. They almost led to something. If i'd done my work sooner (rather than just feeling sorry for myself) I'd have been able to record or write some stuff down. Nevermind, at least these moments are happening more often now.

We've settled on a temporary band name (me and Lee that is): 'Goodbye Chicago'  We'll see if it sticks.

I might force an entry or two while i'm away this week. But I imagine there will be little from when Em gets back till I'm away in Sharjah a few days later. 

So i've got a heap load of work to be getting on with. Plenty of complex delivery challenges, backed with both political and timescale complications. Fun eh? I'm glad that it'll keep me busy and I feel a bit more justified in my role. But from now until late september, it will be a scarey ride. I'll be out in Sharjah on the week of the 24th. Which means i'm missing Leeds festival. I'm a bit gutted about this, but it's more important that I get established in my new job. It's all about getting an easy life isn't it?

There is a big plus for my music. Two of the big MDs (one of which I've already spoke too) are keen music enthusiasts themselves. Apparently the other one has his own recording studio out in Sharjah which is quite interesting. I'm off to the Caven on Sunday with Lee and my cousin Dominic. That should also be quite musically inspiring.

But above this all lies one simple problem that I am helpless to control.... I miss Emma. Every minute seems like an hour. :( 

So i'm in the East Midlands, ready to travel down to Southampton tomorrow. I have a mixed feeling of excitement and anticipation about the work i'll be doing this week. I hope I find something to purchase upon within the meetings. I always feel like a bit of a let down if I don't leave a marked impression on people. Emma has been away on her trip to Canada with Ellie for nearly 4 days now, although it feels more like 4 weeks. I'm really struggling without her. Which I guess is a good sign of how much she means to me.

In other news, I bought a bicycle in an effort to ge a bit fitter. Although I won't be able to get to it while I work away this week, there is a health spa in the hotel I'll be staying in. So no excuses really. In fact, without my guitars or Emma... I might be doing hours of exercise to keep me occupied. :(

As far as music goes... things are starting to brighten up. I'm writing musically every time I sit down on the piano now. Just need to expand that to the guitar and then lyrically and I'll be well on my way. :) 

Now my blog is back at StackedActors.com. Hopefully going to get a redirect from stackedactors.co.uk soon enough. And i'll setup the old band websites for Stacked Actors and Untamed Aggression as sub sites (eventually).

 So what's new?

Well, i'm still sueing Cuddly Bears. And i have definite evidence now, so I will definitely win. But it's going to take a while to complete. The court dates are dragged out. Next one is in April.

I'm living near work in Warrington. I'm almost setled here.

I went to my Uncle Jack's funeral last week. It was a sad experience but it was so great to see so much of my family in one place. I've made some promises to go and see various people throughout this year. I could do with sticking to them. Althought i'm on a 12 month debt clearence plan, so I'm struggling to even see my close family at the moment!

I haven't heard from Macca in a while. I was really sad to hear that he lost someone close in his family recently.

I heard from Sean only yesterday! He called me while I was driving. He was talking about a gig in the summer or something. I think I heard him talking to Andrea too. The signal kinda broke up and disconnected pretty quick though. I'll have to call him back this weekend. It would help and be a lot cheaper if he'd sort out (and sign in!) to his MSN.

I've not heard from Flynny since I moved. Although yesterday he updated his FaceBook account with a picture of a great dane playing electric guitar. So I he's still got his sense of humour... that's a good sign that life is treating him well.

So the whole software development thing at work has gone tits up. Not because it was a bad move at all, but because now we are part of a much larger corporate group the focus of software is all but dead. That will just get shipped out to some far east sweat-shop. I may still work on my own product anyway. I refuse to believe that anyone else is likely to come up with anywhere near the level of quality in a similar product for the same cost. Oh well, some you win, some you loose. No point in getting hung up over what could have been. It's time to focus on where the future may lead.

Think i'll be in sunny Warwick for a day next week. I could really do without it. I'm also moving flats that week too. But I've had October ear marked as a crazy month for a while now. By halloween things should be a bit easier.

We got gazummped with our Leeds tickets. So much for an early purchase! Ended up paying near £260 per ticket!  But on the plus side, it doesn't feel as bad on the pocket as we'd already paid the bulk of it. We just had to top it up.

 I went to see Macca today. I'm trying to go and see Sean and Andrea as soon as I can. I don't know if it might be too soon, but I'd love Macca and San to be able to make it too. I've a feeling Sean and Andrea might need a bit of help out there at the moment. Nothing like a blast from the past to remind you of happy times.

I'm pretty much packed for Leeds. I guess I'll update sometime after we're back!

Oh, and on a work note. Things are moving smoothly. I've recently spent some time on the new company website. It's a mod of the BlogEngine .NET stuff too, which is quite easy to develop in.