Logbook Episode 31 Out Now!

Episode 31 of my weekly video blog 'The Logbook' has seen a lot of Celestine action!

Click Me To Watch!

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This week's Logbook Radio choice: 'Don't Ever Change - Live At The BBC' by the Beatles (1994)

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Well, meeting my friends on Monday to finish OUR FINAL assignment of our first university year was nearly a stress-inducing one. Lauren probably realised that leaving her uploads to the VERY REAL last couple of minutes on Wetherspoons Wi-Fi wasn't a tremendously good idea, but she got there! Thank goodness! A little look around town didn't spark much interest after that, especially since it started to rain. Is this God crying with relief? Or is it something else? I don't know. I also finally recorded the guitar parts for Ellie's project 'Fantasy'. Definitely worth checking out if you have the time! I even got an excuse to use the wah pedal feature on my multi-effects pedalboard! 

On Tuesday, my mum and I travelled to Jessie's humble abode to pick up some of the drum gear he's been able to secure for me from some local sellers. What a legend, first of all! Second of all, the legend was sleeping when I arrived. In fact, I was invited inside by his parents to go and wake him up! What?! He's the frontman of Celestine, of course he needs his beauty sleep! Anyway, I can't very well stand there and complain at him, he bagged me a crash and ride cymbal from Sabian (a trusted brand!) and a rusty budget snare which had certainly seen better days! In addition to a quick stop at Wickes for a top-up of WD-40, I spent the afternoon with my mum "de-rusting" the snare drum and having a good chat about everything and anything! Big up the concept of nattering! I love it! 

Wednesday was slightly disappointing. It turns out that my student mentor job, a job which I am taking on alongside Jessie for the duration of the next academic year, is actually a really irregular job. They're only permitted to pay us for 22 hours maximum across the ENTIRE ACADEMIC YEAR. Yes, you read that right. So, it's DEFINITELY not sustainable, which sparked a sudden interest in job-seeking for me! However, our in-person mentor training was certainly a worthwhile venture, seeing as we met lots of cool people, rekindled some distant friendships and even got a free hot meal! It was a choice between vegetable lasagne or vegetable curry - of course I chose the latter! It was a gorgeous blend of smoky peppers and sweet potato and left me, regardless of the day's news, in good spirits for the rest of the day!

I didn't really get up to much on Thursday, I won't try to over-exaggerate a fairly relaxed day. I completed the vlog's regular weekly sections 'Last Week On The Logbook' and 'Logbook Radio', both of which are quite enjoyable to get together when there's a free day! I prepared my gear for the next day (which I knew was going to be a busy one), packing my brand new cymbal and snare case as tightly as possible. My mum and I finished off the de-rusting process ("finished" is a strong word - we reached the inevitable British conclusion of "You know what, that'll do") yesterday evening and the drum itself is actually unrecognisable compared to when it was placed in my hand by a half-asleep Jessie a couple days prior!

Friday was the day of Celestine's FIRST HEADLINE GIG, which took place at the Mist Rolling Inn. The sound engineer was a lovely fellow, as apparently he (and his equipment) had been resident at the old Chameleon, a venue which unfortunately closed following the Pandemic. However, the incredible sound system made its way to the basement of the Mist Rolling Inn (which became a total sweatbox during our set!) and provided a fantastic sound for us and for our wonderful support acts. I really enjoyed the gig and I seriously think it's the best we've ever sounded live, even when compared to the Battle of the Bands on Metronome's main stage! If a man, a moderately-sized mixing desk and a cramped basement can produce a perfectly-balanced sound, then that opens the doors for many different live opportunities if we sort out our own equipment! Either way, fantastic gig! Fantastic audience, fantastic assistants (and roadies - we love Spencer!) and just a fantastic night. That's another venue I can tick off my list!

The weekend was definitely one more about resting than doing. And editing, of course! We went to a car-boot sale on Sunday, but I didn't buy anything. I suppose it wasn't my day. But that's alright! Anyway, I'll be back here again next week with yet another synopsis of the next episode of the Logbook! See you again then!

Thanks for reading! <3