Ah the fuddy duddy way we live, and how we survive is beyond the pale. A vast amount of hours in the car this month going up and down to the bolt hole. We have six songs to work on, and in various states of repair they seem to be. We are so lucky to have this chance to write, ney be commissioned to put together this album. Laurie Latham sits with Glenn at the head of the hip hard on the tiller sometimes and often wind swept with ideas and screens. Drum tracks get laid and moved around, bass parts are melodically sown, keyboards tamper and guitars collapse on the many changes or arrangements. Its a long and winding road, and how it was. For a few days in the middle him and me went to Manchester to play cameo roles in the show we are writing for, i played the fat drummer and glenn played the lesser spotted organist. Both with stuck on sideburns and frilly shirts, it was a long day but some wonderful to be there beyond the clapper board.

There is a book called Mr Norris Changes Trains, a change of trains happened this month, and more will be revealed over time. I wish John Bentley love and happiness in the future, i will be sad not see him next to me in the car snoring as we drive home from shows on the next tour in September. Times move on and so they do. John has been back in Squeeze for 10 years and what a quick ten years that was, he added so much to the spirit of the band and he gave the fans a foothold onto which they could feel our past, the songs of a lifetime. His wisdom and patients has been so inspiring to me and im sad that this train has pulled into this station. And in other news the barn is feeling more like home despite the internals and fleeting misunderstandings. Its a long drive each night and when the wind hits the barn it hits it head on. We have made some small changes and in doing so i think it has become more like home for us. Outside and in. God knows im good.

Back at the studio and more and more moving of beats and ideas as songs get thrashed for being naughty. Thank you Steve Lewes my publisher and Peter Bradley for being so supportive and generous of time this month, all to be revealed. And then there is the book, its on ice, its slipped down the back of the bookcase, its gone off for some editing and won’t be back for awhile. So much to look forward too and some live shows too. Squeeze on tour in September and Me and her out this summer, and then me, solo, also out in the summer here and there. Keep a tab on this fabulous new web site, im so excited to see, where we all are dancing.

It should be a lovely deep and honey glazed summer, but first some gale force winds man flu and more hours in the bloody car. Its time for a change. Louise is being an angel as ever, im being looked after and loved, coming up four years together, and even with my demanding and often secretive life style we stroke on and on in regular harmony like a small motorbike. Kids, well, Cissy is working and working more, saving up for a trip with Tom to Vietnam. Tom is her young man and he seems good for her, so lucky he is too. Grace is out there working to get by and i hope to pose for her lense one day soon as she photographs with an eager eye. Riley and Mrs D are happy in New York, i hope to see him soon as i miss the boy. Natalie is up there being an angel working and searching for the good things in life, all of them she deserves. Me im just an old tin can. Much to do and many rivers to cross.

I do not seek inspiration of failure i seek what is now and the truth that it provides, im so happy to be part of my journey without trying to educate every bump in the road, and thats how i manage to navigate the good stuff, the bad stuff and the stuff without oxygen. I wish i could write like i used to but for now the magic comes when its meant to come, it can’t be cooked up by recipe or from a book of special brews. Being in the constant shakes of change is hard and often it feels hopeless, today though i know its not forever because i can’t tell how long that might be. Today i feel good about all of my success and all of my failures as the coexist in this imperfect World where my OCD of all things struggles to breath, but by letting go of the fear i become the moment. We are all fine we are all in good form one way or another, all i do is see grey sky when it is blue, i feel darkness when there is light, i tempt confusion when all around me is simplicity. If the kids are alright what can go wrong, they will pass me by and live beyond me, and they will look back on this time and know that i cared and that i worked hard for the passion and the love of life.

I cry inside for the past, i want so much to know the future yet all i have is the present to understand right or wrong where i stand with myself and with my inspiration. Blocks are good blocks, time is fused with time, it eats like a massive piece of cake and i will sleep once i bite into it. Back in the studio Simon sits on the sofa, he lives there, he has no fixed abode, and i know how that feels and how far that can be from happiness. Lunch is on the go and the two odd boys record and debate the music that makes us all who we are, it puts arses on seats and words into peoples mouths. Studio life is like being in the departure lounge, you sit and wait, i look at the sky, i hold every thought close to my heart, there is a fear but im not sure what to base it on. I sit still and wait for the journey, we prepare the plane for take off, we write the songs and embrace our roles and pass the clouds in another day. Im very pleased that this is now.