28 December 2005
  
I should really write something about playing in Wolverhampton a few days after the Damned tour finished. I promised I would this time. Trouble is I haven't got much time because I'm flying to America this morning and there isn't a taxi company in Norwich that'll take me to the airport. (Wolverhampton was thoroughly enjoyable - I played for an hour and a half, did songs that I'd almost frogotten about - Haunted House, Our Neck Of The Woods, Swimming Against The Tide Of Reason, The Final Taxi... Richard the promoter was a hero - he even changed a string on my guitar while I carried on playing. Thanks to everyone who came, I hope I can play at the Newhampton again next year.)
I should explain that I'm flying to New York via Amsterdam from Norwich International Airport. I thought International was a joke but apparently they don't think it is. Anyway, there's been a light dusting of snow here in Norfolk so everything's at a standstill - the gritting trucks are safely parked up in the council car park and the taxi offices have all closed down for the night. So I'm going to skid round to the airport in my car in the manner of a man leaving Probus (how quickly these tales become absorbed into popular folkloric culture) and hope they don't charge me too much for ten days parking or whatever it is.
Why am I going to America? I'm going to see the New Year in with Yo La Tengo at their annual Hanukkah thing at Maxwells in Hoboken. (I went last year and did a mini set with them.) And I'm going to see Amy Rigby - that was the original reason for going - Yo La Tengo came as an afterthought. She was utterly devastating at the 12 Bar Club the other night. How could I not travel half way round the world to see her again? I hope I make it to the airport alright. If they charge too much for the parking I think I'll just leave the car there and buy another. Here's a picture of Amy playing my guitar at the 12 Bar:

  
   

Before I slide off into the rising sun I should congratulate everyone on getting through another Christmas and wish all the people who read this rubbish a happy / prosperous / successful / non-jaded new year. And thanks to everyone who came to see me in 2005. And thanks for the 100 Club the other night - you nearly made me cry.

Happy new year x x x
 

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