Monday 27th

Having a bit of trouble getting going this morning. Think I've been spoiled by the day off yesterday. Going through one of those phases of mine where I have a series of unpleasant nightmares which manifest themselves physically. It happens occasionally: waking up with huge welts on my neck after fighting off spiders in the night; bruises on my back following a dream about being chased, caught and squeezed by a masked man. Yesterday morning I woke from a dream where I was being strangled choking. Felt like my throat had closed up. Bit frightening.

In other news: my show at the end of November at The Cockpit in Leeds has been postponed. Nothing to do with me folks. Sorry about that. We are looking to reschedule in the new year, so I'll keep you posted.

I am back in the studio between gigs working on B sides. It's been a while and I find myself slightly blocked, creatively speaking. I also have the perpetual flu which goes hand in hand with meeting a lot of new people round the country and just not having the time to be ill. But I'm enjoying things at the moment. Thanks to the people who've come out and the many, many of you who have bought CDs and sent messages and generally been lovely. It's keeping me going.

Wednesday 8th

This is a heads up for fans interested in the limited edition sets.

The limited edition box sets have been selling extremely well over the last few months and we are down to the very last few copies. The mini-prints (which Leni develops by hand in her darkroom at home) in each box are unique and therefore take up a good deal of time to manufacture. Unfortunately, with Leni's currently hectic schedule (mostly in touring and recording, as well as artwork shoots and various other demands) she simply does not have time to keep up with demand.

We have a small number stockpiled which we anticipate will have sold out very shortly. After they're gone, Leni is unlikely to make more for the foreseeable future. So, if you want one, buy it now.

When we last left off, I was in Manchester surrounded by cadavers. That is clearly the opening to an installment of a serialised novel. I adjusted my body clock leading up to the tour on the basis that I'd be driving late into the night and needed to be alert. For the first few days, I was still battling the get the body clock to adjust properly and found myself staggering home and falling straight into bed in the early hours of the morning. For the second half of the dates, I was on top of it. I was bright eyed and bouncy til 3am. Unfortunately, all the gigs from then ..ed early enough to have me home early. After the Manchester gig, I was home before midnight.

Then my mother arrived. And I had to be up early each day so we could Do Things And Have Fun. Oh, the jetlag.

By the last gig at the Hockley Hustle on Sunday, I was feeling pretty rough. I think I might have Fresher's Flu. Having been neither a Fresher nor a student for the last couple of years, I'm taking it personally. I just about managed the gig before completely zoning out to everything, but I barely remember it if I'm honest.

And now I am back at home. I have spent a little time with Boyfriend (who, aided by a week of not seeing me at all, seems to have forgiven me for my jokes on stage) and a lot more time hiding from a gigantic spider who spends most evenings running across my living room floor.

I have also made a list of Things I Must Do Before Beginning To Play Shows Again. It is a long list. As usual, I have started with the easiest, simplest tasks. The first two yesterday took 4 hours of research each. I think my system is showing some cracks.

Thursday 30th

"There are dead bunnies on the stairs and I think itŐs cool."

Yet again, with the aid of a macbook and free wifi (though this time it's actually the venue's, not something I stole by warwalking), I am blogging on the road. The cold's getting worse, but I'm determined not to get sick. It's just going to have to wait. Three more gigs, and a visit from my mother in between, over the next 4 days and then I can go to bed for a week. Sort of. I can go to bed for a week so long as I'm doing all my paperwork whilst in it. And not eating toast.

The gig in Leeds was kind of a mixed bag. It started off badly, but ended well. The other bands definitely didn't suck, and it was a shame that the timings were so badly messed up because the final band's awesome instrumentals-plus-super-cool-visuals were cut short. There was also some flooding. But otherwise, it turned out pretty well. Met some really cool people and managed to stay awake for the entire drive home (which is always the goal). Check out Jacob's Stories and Arms and Sleepers if you get a chance. I've top friended them to make everyone's life easier.

Day off yesterday to do my homework, which I did, and my housework, which I didn't. As I said, mother is coming, and the house looks like I prioritise driving around the country over washing up and tidying. Which is true. I've cleaned the bathroom and done the washing up, but to admire my handiwork you still have to climb over an array of instruments and boxes and scarves (I have way too many scarves, on reflection). Oh well. Mothers never notice these kind of tiny details. Right? Right??

Tonight I am in Manchester (yes, again. I like Manchester) at the Nexus Art Cafe. I found the venue on only the second try (though the first ended up with me driving around the same block of four streets I spent all that time on a few days ago and I started having 'nam-like flashbacks). This place is fucking cool. Not only does it have big comfy chairs and art everywhere but it has 4 different kinds of green tea. And that's before you even get into "green tea plus mint/lemongrass/whatever". I didn't even know there were four kinds of green tea. They also have blue tea. AND they're served in those awesome tessellating teapot/cup combos. I kind of want to stay here on my very very comfy sofa until I've tried every single one. Which could easily be days. I'd be OK with that. The guy .. me really doesn't suck either - he's actually whistling in tune. For a girl who has never been able to whistle at all, that's pretty fucking impressive. I don't know his name yet. I've been unsuccessfully googling it. Which probably makes it look like I'm totally disinterested. I know you're on tenterhooks, so I'll get it for you asap.

Now, time for more tea!