I did one more remix of a Celtic Reiki, and posted it off, along with a couple of CDs to pals.  Finally managed to register Cubase LE on my laptop tho not thru their system - they just sent me an activation code in the end. I then realised I wasfeeling  abit crap so had a nap, then remembered it woulda been my moms birthday today. She never used to make much of it but I;d usually get her a book or DVD and ring her up. I miss her but I;m glad she isn't suffering so as she was in her last year or so.

Then my day kinda turned round - came round to G's put on the Royalettes CD (those dreamy Teddy Randazzo songs and arrangements), made a nice meal, watched an Addams Family episode and set up laptop and new midi keyboard in situ.

Went to assist Dan in his solo songs spot at the Donkey pub - took a keyboard and some flutes - saw a bunch of good ole boys. Good to get a bit of real life.

I also got an email from Markus Stockhausen himself thanking me for my words of priase I emailed to his website/ management team about his great new album Electric Treasures. The management want to use my text on their website and catalogue.

Been playing some CDs I;ve not spun for a while - summer music maybe. Tunisian jazzy oud player Dhafer Youssef, and the excellent Apolalypso by German fusionists  Embryo - a real gem from the past, that one.

Another full day recording with flute player Clookai - it went better than we both thought. I even got her to do an one of my live electronic processings on one track (harmonizer, short delay/reverb, long delay, animated filter array).  Recordingwose I think we're done - I'l be mixing much of next week I think.

Was quite tired by evening - I watched a very thorough, well researched and presented show about the history of harps on BBC4. They even had an interview with one of my all time hero's Alan Stivell - his usual vague self - they didn't really catch him playing much harp - I think they only caught him for a few moments before a gig. I learned a lot - notably that harp from the classical side has Marie Antoinette to thank who after a long period of unfashionability, brought one with her from Austria and made it fashionable, leading to a French harp maker inventing the pedal harp. I also didn't know that the harp is the national instrument of Venezuela. Plus they touched on 20C classical and electronica.

Glad I'm not gigging tomorrow