Now that I've paid out a wad of cash for the keyboard repair I've rediscovered some enthusiasm for playing it. For me, th keyboard was always secondary. It seemed a passive instrument because it was fixed in place, which is a strange attitude considering I was a drummer by trade and drum kits are even more static. I think though it had to do with energy. As a young person I had all the same youthful angst and frustrated anger that everyone else has at that age. Therefore I used to thrash out power chords on an electric guitar or traumatise audiences with assault and battery on the drums.

Now that I'm a little older and wiser... Oh all right, now that I'm much older and just as much an idiot as I ever was, I've come to realise just how versatile modern polysynths and sequencers can be. If you know what to do. I don't, so I've delved into those arcane manuals that I never took much notice of twenty years ago.

The woman across the road was busy in domestic chores and from her vantage point in the kitchen window spotted me about to lay down some tracks in my makeshift recording studio. She looked genuinely taken aback.

Where music is concerned, talent will out, but practice makes perfect. I was practising my keyboard playing well into the night. Thing is though eventually your self discipline erodes after constant repitition and you get an urge to experiment, to push your boundaries, to try something new. That happened, and I ended up playing an hour long freeform jazz funk jam to my virtual ryrthmn section. Jazz funk? I can't believe I've sunk to such depths... My evolution as a musician is complete.

Having drained all my inspiration and desire to express myself musically, I wandered to the back of the house and opened the window to let some fresh air in. It was raining. The sound was genuinely pleasant and relaxing after bombarding my ears with brash electronic tones and textures for hours on end. With the weather keeping louts indoors, it was a calm and peaceful evening.

Okay, that's enough of being at one with the universe.... Back to the keyboard, I've had a killer idea for a song...

What's New Through The Catflap?

Jaguar have just unveiled their latest humdinger golf caddy. Just thought you might like to know, in case their star-studded press launch has escaped your attention.

No, I don't want one either.

New Religion Of The Week

The aftermath of Michael Jackson goes on. I understand a chinese group are going to create a replica of his Neverland home to commemorate his career. I wonder... Will they charge money at the door?