Oh damn, still in this dream.

The new Futureheads video 'Walking Backwards' much of which was recorded at TPA Studios.
If you look hard you'll see Steve K at the mixing desk. The Marshall head with one 'L' missing is mine. Good shots of the AKG C12V mic. Amusing.

So I turned forty-six yesterday.
As far as ordinary days go, yesterday was unremarkable.
Firstly, after the ablutions of the day, and breakfast: I drove to Alan's studio where we had coffee; wonderful sandwiches; and a few spliffs. I played on the James Trussart metal-bodied telecaster that lives in his studio (and I quite covet, actually), and we wittered about Pro-Tools, and whether I can get the right sort of guitar based midi interface to work with Sibelius. 'I gots to get me' a midi guitar or something similar. Perhaps a Roland GK3 pick-up? Any advice gladly accepted. Also, on Ebay, I got beaten out at the last minute for an old Casio midi guitar. Damme: a pox on my impecuniousness.
I left Alan's to time my arrival in town after the congestion charge expired and drove into TPA, finding a place to park outside the studio: the omens appeared very good.
The omens were good for a reason. Steve has plans to expand the business and will be bringing in new investment and a new company structure. He will share the responsibility of the whole enterprise with a new business partner, possibly two, as many folk are clamouring to get on board. At long last he's realising the asset he's been sitting on these past twelve years. I met the (definite) new business partner and her sister. Strewth, hard-headed business folk, but...they understood the 'vibe', the word of mouth recommendations, the position, the whole nine yards. They also seemed to tread softly: far too skilled with people to ever inadvertently ruffle feathers.
This is all good, but it means certain aspects of TPA will change. The musicians that have been in and out of that studio are a kind of community, along with all the other folk on Denmark Street. (It's still the coolest music street in Europe.) The 'Regent Sound Studios' sign remains over the door across the street, but there is no studio there behind the sign: TPA is the last independent studio left in Soho.
I took my old fashioned pedalboard and Blackface Twin home for a bit. While the decorating and remodelling of the interior is happening TPA won't be needing 'em. I also realised I've hardly played through my Marshall all year: this is so wrong. (But even so, I didn't take it home with me.)
Gigging Friday.
Slowly getting on top of my playing and practice. Learning simple bits of Bach is helping no end. A line a day...a line a day.

Today I hope you all have the pleasure of doing something difficult well.