sleep is on me

When we put Pollington to bed, she usually cries a bit and we have to lift her up and carry her for a while to comfort her. Then we put her back to bed and she either falls asleep or we do it again. It's getting easier every night and it all takes 10-15 minutes. Basically, it's the time it takes for her to wind down and go to sleep.

Sometimes, the repetition and the crying can be trying, especially if there's something else you'd rather be doing. Either way, though, lifting your crying little girl from her crib and feeling her relax completely in your arms is the best feeling in the world. She feels calm and safe and you are her rock. Can't beat that.

rehearsing again

Yesterday I met up with Mange and Anna to play some music. Mankan from the old band was also invited and together we managed to play through 13 songs a couple of times. It was excellent! I loved the feeling of playing and singing with a band! The songs worked really well, too. I know they're not hits by any means, but they worked well and they were fun to play! Another dimension was definately added when we played them live like that!

Next time we play I'll try to bring my computer so I can record what they sound like - no good recordings, of course, just set up the one microphone in the middle of the room and see what happens. All I got from this time was a few clips recorded with my phone. There's almost nothing showing (besides my back) and the sound is awful, but I wanted something to remember that first rehearsal by.

Here's a clip from that. The song doesn't even have a name yet.

school semester now on sale - one week off

It's Monday but I don't have to go to work. Well, I do, kind of, because I'm going there tomorrow to play some music and I will want to bring a guitar from home and the case for it is at work. My idea is to swing by there today in the afternoon. But my original point is that I don't have to go to work.

I still have things to do, though. I have to make an appointment to see a dentist. Finally. It's been some years. Maybe eight. I know. Me be stupid. I used to "justify" not going by saying I couldn't afford it. I guess I can now, though. Hmm... I'll call right after I'm done writing this.

I also have to give Marta a car. That's fine, because I have one that I can't use (due to lack of license). It's better if she owns it. Like SEK 400 per month of insurance costs better.

an interest taken

A little while ago, as Marta and I were putting Polly down for the night, she developed an interest in her old man. She wasn't at all keen on milk, or sleeping. She just wanted to look at her daddy... It wasn't the first time she was interested in me, but it was the first time she was ONLY interested in me. I can't tell you how happy it made me when she looked at me and smiled.

the trials of lesley trace

Since I stopped playing with Sonic Negroes I've been writing more songs. They're not SN material anyway, so it's no loss for the band. But I guess after being in a band I can't not be in one. I need that vent. This time, though, I need to be more in control of how often we rehearse and what our ambitions are.

So, ever so slowly, things have started coming together. I have made contact with Magnus Nordin, writer and former SN bass player and Anna Olsen, a friend from work. So far we've met a few times and played a bunch of my songs and one of Mange's.

We've been talking about what kind of band this should be. My vision is a more flexible band, where the songs don't have to sound the same all the time. What I mean is that we should be able to play with different set up, and not be so fixed in terms of instrumentation. For one gig we might be just three people with acoustic guitars and a bass and a tabourine, while some other time we might have a full drum kit and maybe some keys. I'd love that.

One issue that's grown increasingly urgent is what to call the band. It's as obvious as it is frustrating that all the good names seem to be taken. It's even gotten to the point where I sometimes play a game with myself: if I could have any band name -none were taken - which one would I choose. Well, which one would you choose?

min sårbarhet

walking in the fall