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!

The 1st of two Goodbye Chicago gigs (playing covers) is set for tomorrow night (Tue 9th Feb) at 9pm...

Why not drop by?

http://www.facebook.com/GoodbyeChicago

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=315878944553&index=1

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

Happy 2010...

...make this century a good one!

Things are still fantastic. Work is settling down. I've managed to get the ideas flowing although the standard is still a bit low. Today will be one for the books. Lee and I are jamming with Kate Willis. She's my old drummer from Cold Phoenix (and the start of Untamed Aggression). 9 years later and we're about to get some funky groove on again. It might be that things don't work out for this band, but it'll be good to see her again and jam again. I'm off to storage to digg out my Fender amp and pedal board, i'm also gonna search the memory boxes for the Psycho Girl lyrics. Blast from the past.

Things with Emma are fantastic. I totally f*cked up yesterday by not introducing her to an old friend (Ash Disaster). I think she forgives me now though :)

Need to catch up with Macca soon!!

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.