Sunday 20 December 2009

It's all white here. I was back in the eye hospital yesterday, after achieving only one week of not putting steroids in my eye since April. At least it's the other eye that's gone this time. The point where I realised that I had to get to the hospital was exactly when the snow started, of course: it's just as well the eye hospital is only a short walk away.

I've finished editing the Edinburgh material, and now have to decide what to do with it. I've been listening to it all in two different ways: first with good headphones for detail, and then sticking it on at medium background level on speakers while I do other things. Sometimes the difference in my reaction is quite striking: a piece which seems really exciting when listening closely, can come across as an out-of-tune mess from a distance. And some pieces where the creaky stage or other noises off are a distraction when close listening, reveal a satisfying underlying shape when heard across a room.

My camera never made it back from Elbeuf, so I bought a replacement on eBay last week. I now have what I think is the world's only camera wrist strap that celebrates a now sadly defunct Edinburgh tea shop and chocolatier.

Also on my phone was this picture taken in the dark at the panto last week, of a card from my sister Meg's wallet. If you're looking for a big leather cushion to put your feet on, this is the place to go.

later
A bit bruised now from repeatedly falling off a sledge.

Lots of discussion in the house today about Christmas music. My favourite Christmas albums of days gone by, including the Andrew Parrott one and the John Waters one, are now joined by at least one of the Brian Setzer collections. And at this time of year I never tire of hearing the genius of Roy Wood (the only Christmas single with the balls to start with the sound of a cash register and a raspberry, and still be heartwarming), Jethro Tull (yes, in 7/8), the Wombles, or even the Darkness or Slade. Or of course Shane and Kirsty (blub).