Normally, home decoration or furnishings would be the second last subject I’d be likely to blog about. (The last? Photos of what I had for dessert during yesterday evening’s meal.)

Apologies for not answering many blog comments these past couple of weeks – I’ve been busy – but this really is the rhubarb crumble and custard of all rooms. Well, I think so, anyway.

When I say ‘I’ve’ been busy – I mean ‘we.’ Well, by ‘we,’ I mean Diane, my wife who is far more handy, and patient, than I could ever possibly be when it comes to erecting Ikea flat-pack book and record units.

My contribution extended to shunting over three thousand records and CDs out the room so the minging old carpet could be uplifted and the spanking new wooden floor laid – by someone properly qualified and experienced to do so. Then of course, heave them all back in and arrange them alphabetically within their allocated musical genre.

Oh yeah- and I also had to put several boxes of books and DVDs up in the loft, or better still, donate them to charity.

I chose the first suggestion … I’ve always had this problem making the distinction between ‘option’ and ‘instruction.’ 😉

Seventeen years ago, this former bedroom was converted into an office for my then fledgling Petcare / Dog Walking business. However, as the booking diary quickly filled, it soon became obvious my ‘office,’ would be out in the beautiful surrounding countryside. All I really needed was a mobile phone and a few dog leads.

At that time, and for a few years prior, I’d been hosting my Loud Horizon music blog. Back then it focused mainly on reviewing new music from bands who were generally speaking, not your arena or stadium fillers. (Nowadays, it centres around underplayed, underpaid and underappreciated bands of the ’60s and ’70s .. kinda niche, huh?)

It proved a popular site, with surprisingly heavy daily traffic. I also wrote for Artrocker Magazine (UK artrock and indie music magazine that was also distributed in New York, I believe.) I’m sure research at the time indicated it was read by @ 30,000 people each month, so it was quite popular.

All this meant, in those pre-streaming days, that I’d be sent hundreds and hundreds of promo and demo CDs by bands looking to be featured either on my site or the magazine.

The four, deep drawers of the unit to the right of the desk are filled to the brim with such ‘freebies.’

My desk of course, is used principally these days for my writing – either my books or blogs. Ironically, I often prefer to write in silence, especially so if I’m working on my short stories or novel.

The bass guitar you see in a couple of the photos, was a leaving present from Bank of Scotland, in 2004. I still can’t play it … which does lead me to question my intention to buy a guitar and learn how to play it when I retire.

Oh yeah – and the picture frame above the radiator houses the autographed lyrics to ’The One and Only‘ by Chesney Hawkes … long story. 😀

So that’s what I’ve been up to.

How’s your week shaping up?

🙂