Nick Jordan

I’ve just got back from a weekend away doing medieval stuff. Jenny was organising the main evening feast, for almost a hundred people, which meant that I got all the excitement of helping prepare and then of spending more or less all day in the kitchen. I won’t bore you with the details except to say that I hope I never have to peel or chop another apple or chop up another fish as long as I live. Jenni was kind enough to hire an estate car, drive us there and back and assist with prep and cooking too, which was very good of her considering that the whole re-enactment thing isn’t really her bag at all. Many other people also helped out and made the whole event a success. It’s the nature of these things that most people are willing to do their bit.

The plan for the rest of the day is to relax and do nothing very much. I’m about to watch the F1 from earlier thanks to the wonder of recording devices. That’s about all I can muster the energy for right now.

I’ve been playing the guitar for many years, on and off, but really not improving very much. However, getting back into making music recently and having a gig lined up are forcing me to up my game. To that end, I have an initial assessment with a local guitar teacher tonight. Handily, he also teaches performance-related stuff such as building a repertoire and singing harmonies. I’m hoping that he’ll be able to help me push my playing to the next level, and if I can gain something useful between now and our first gig I’ll be very happy.

This morning I woke up feeling much, much better and more awake than I have for some time. I really hope this is the beginning of the end of my recent bout of insomnia, with which I’ve been boring the pants off the world recently.

Another plus is that tonight I’m off to see my friends Lord Byron play at the launch of their single, which all of you will, of course, buy immediately. I know I may be viewed as just a tad biased but they really are very good indeed, as well as being genuinely nice people. If you want to support an up-and-coming band, this is the one. At least until Stealing Jenni get going properly!

As you know if you’re a regular reader of this blog, I’m suffering from insomnia at the moment. It was pointed out to me yesterday that I seem to have stopped reading. While the two aren’t directly connected, it occurs to me that getting stuck into a really good book might help me relax and sleep. Besides, I love reading more than almost anything.

I usually read fantasy, science fiction or humour, with occasional travel books but I’m willing to try anything suitably gripping, so if you have any recommendations I’d be very grateful for them.

I find myself off work today as my insomnia has really sunk its teeth into me. Yesterday was pretty bad; I found myself unable to concentrate at all. I thought that going out for a nice evening and being a little late home might help me relax and sleep but that certainly didn’t work, so today I’m trying to get some rest. I won’t actually sleep during the day as I’ve never been able to do that but I shall probably do a little light housework in between listening to music, watching DVDs and generally putting my feet up. All that followed by a reasonably early night will at least help me make it to the weekend, I hope.

My friend Jenni and I decided a while back to get together to perform some music. A rather silly discussion between ourselves and my fiancee Jenny produced the name Stealing Jenni. Nick, Jenni – see? Anyway, we’ve been rehearsing and have now secured our first proper gig courtesy of the fine people at Camden Calling. It’ll be on 19th May at the Enterprise, Camden, starting at around 7pm. If you’re in the area, do please come along and see us and the other fine acts on the bill. It’s all in a very good cause.

A Facebook page and MySpace page are currently under construction, although I’ve taken the liberty of linking to them from the sidebar already. There’s not a lot there yet, but do visit them regularly if you want to know what we’re up to.

Yesterday we spent the day with some friends, who very kindly took us to a beautiful country pub for lunch. There I was, dressed in black from head to foot, including my nice new full-length coat. There the pub cat was, almost entirely white. You can see where this is going, can’t you? Yes indeed, the cat decided that I was the most appealing person to sit on and, as a result, all my clothes got covered in cat hair. Most of it did brush off eventually but I suspect I’ll be black and white for some time, even after the application of sellotape.

However, it’d been ages since I had a cat sitting on my lap and it was totally worth it. I adore cats.

On Wednesday afternoon I ordered this rather nice coat. It arrived this morning. Now that’s what I call service! Oh, and it’s every bit as lovely as I’d hoped.

I’ve never been much of a one for snappy dressing. All my clothes have been bought for comfort and practicality (read: lots of pockets) rather than style and I’ve never really done much to take care of myself. Recently, however, I’ve discovered (better late than never) that I really enjoy wearing nice clothes and taking trouble over my appearance. I’ve spent a buttload of money on new clothes and even some on, for want of a better phrase, personal grooming. I’m taking time to trim and pluck. And you know what? I feel so much better about myself.

Yes, I still really don’t like a whole bunch of stuff about myself, but I’m doing the best I can with what I have and it’s good. I may even take the time to recommend some products when I’ve had some time to discover what I really like. In a manly, grrr!, kind of way, of course.

I went out for a few beers with a friend last night. One of the pubs we went into was the Bell, and we loved it. It’s small, with very friendly bar staff and great beer. The room upstairs was comfortable and empty, which meant we could chat undisturbed by loud music or drunken idiots. At one point the barman very helpfully set up the next drinks while I went to the toilet, which I thought most helpful. I shall be going back there again, I reckon.

Last night I performed the next part of the self-changing process and dyed my hair black. Well, the box said ‘cosmic blue’ but it’s black as far as I’m concerned. I do so love sitting around with a plastic bag on my head; it’s so attractive.

Anyway, it’s all done now. I shall try to take a photo tonight and post it to Flickr so that those with an interest can gaze in awe and wonder. Or something.

Yesterday morning I finally got around to shaving my beard off. I’d had it for around four years this time and had got very used to it but it really was time for a change. I made some silly joke about my chin getting cold now and then found that when I went out I actually could feel the difference.

I’ve taken a good critical look at myself in the mirror and, while I still hate the way I look, I do have to say that I prefer being clean-shaven. Every time I put my hand to my chin, which I seem to do quite often, I notice and it feels good.

Today, among all the other tasks – putting a new tax disc on the bike, washing, washing up, possibly a run to the council tip – I hope to be dying my hair. It’s all change around here.